Alertness saved police personnel involved in anti-Maoist operation from a landmine blast by the ultras near Lakhpadar village under Kalyansinghpur police station in Rayagada district of Odisha on Tuesday.
An exchange of fire for over 45 minutes ensued between the ultras and the security personnel at the spot. No policeman was injured in the encounter.
However, the Naxalites escaped taking advantage of the hilly jungle terrain. It was suspected that some of them may be injured.
IED, live ammo found
During the search operation in the region, one Improvised Explosive Device, five rounds of live ammunition, two Maoist kitbags containing articles of their day-to-day use, medicines, Maoist uniform and literature were recovered. Books on how to learn Odia were also recovered hinting that the ultras were from outside Odisha and trying to learn local language.
According to Rayagada Superintendent of Police K. Siva Subramani, the incident occurred at around 9.45 a.m. when a team of the Odisha Police was to start combing the Niyamgiri hill area for the Maoists. Near Lakhpadar village, the ultras blasted a landmine targeting these security personnel, who due to alertness were able to save themselves from the blast.
The Maoists hiding at the spot then opened fire at the police team. Initially the police personnel asked the ultras to surrender but when they did not, the cops retaliated.
