Sinapali: Jawans of the Special Operation Group (SOG) destroyed a Maoist camp inside Kandhenjharia forest under Sinapali police limits in Nuapada district and flushed out a group of at least 30 ultras from the forest, said superintendent of police (SP) Pinak Mishra while addressing a press meet Friday.
Police also seized a huge cache of arms and other items from the camp, which were displayed at the reserve ground here.
Mishra said an exchange of fire occurred with the ultras while a joint team of special operations group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and district voluntary force (DVF) was carrying out a combing operation inside the forest. Police and security forces fired 403 rounds of bullets during the 30-minute exchange of fire. There were no casualties on the side of the security forces, while a number of Maoists are believed to have sustained bullet injuries as there were blood stains inside the forest.
The ultras managed to sneak into the forest during the encounter. Police estimated that the number of ultras might be around 30 including several women cadres. The seized items include two tiffin bombs, seven detonators, two solar plates, five radios, magazines, batteries, groceries, Maoist uniforms, shoes, cauldrons, Maoist literature and firewood.
Mishra said the ultras belong to Mainpur division. They are moving from forest to forest in search of a safe hideout. Police are taking all possible measures to flush out the ultras from the district, he added.
The SP termed the operation a major breakthrough by police and security forces. Earlier, police had flushed out militants from Sunabeda and Patadarha in Boden block.
Among others, CRPF commando Mahesh Kumar and other officials attended the press meet. PNN