Five Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces on Wednesday inside the Bhaliagada jungle on the border of Ganjam and Gajapati districts in south Odisha.
At least one jawan of the Special Operation Group (SOG) was injured in the encounter that took place at around 10.30 a.m. in the jungle under Mohana police station area of Gajapati district. Personnel of SOG and District Voluntary Force (DVF) of Ganjam and Gajapati districts were involved in the fire fight.
“The bodies of the five Maoists were seized. None of the deceased was a local,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Southern Range, R.K. Sharma said.
Around 50 kg of explosive material, two pistols, four SBML guns, rifle-cleaning equipment, one SLR magazine, and Maoist kit bags were also confiscated.
Police of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts remained on high alert to track down the Maoists who escaped from the spot.