CPI (Maoist) Squad Clashes With Security Forces In Kandhamal District

Kandhamal District, May 24, 2023: Security forces engaged in a brief skirmish with a squad of CPI (Maoist) cadres in Budhanai Reserve Forest under Tumudibandh Police Station in Kandhamal district of Odisha state today.

The personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG) along with the district police launched a combing operation in the reserve forest in the early morning after receiving intelligence inputs regarding the presence of armed cadres of the CPI (Maoist) in the area, during which the police team came across a squadron of around 20 Maoists inside the reserve forest, said an official.

The Maoists opened fire on the police team, with the police personnel retaliating in self defense, he added.

“The exchange of fire continued for about half an hour. The Maoists managed to escape by taking advantage of the jungle terrain,” said the official.

During a search following the firefight, the police team discovered a Maoist camp and recovered a .303 rifle, two other rifles, IEDs, electric wires, and other articles from the spot, sources said.

“Blood stains were found at the spot suggesting injuries to a few Maoist cadres in the encounter. Senior officials are now monitoring the situation. Additional forces of the SOG and district police have been rushed to the spot to carry out the combing operation,” said an official of Odisha state police.

Source : https://sambadenglish.com/odisha-police-recovers-arms-explosives-after-exchange-of-fire-with-maoists-in-kandhamal/