Three Maoists including one from Chhatisgarh were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forest near Bhejaguda forest in Malkangiri district of Odisha on Saturday.
Speaking to The Hindu , Malkangiri Superintendent of Police (SP) Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said one of these slain Maoists has been identified as Sunadhar, a Maoist leader from adjoining Chhatisgarh. Sunadhar was divisional committee member of Darbha division of outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation, which is active in Chhatisgarh and adjoining Malkangiri district of Odisha. Government of Odisha had declared five lakh rupees for capture of Sunadhar.
Identity of other two naxalites killed in this encounter has not been ascertained. According to the SP, this encounter took place in the forest near Bhejaguda under Malkangiri police station between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. During an anti-Maoist operation a troupe of District Voluntary Force (DVF) of Malkangiri had stumbled upon a secret camp of Maoists at the spot. When the Maoists opened fire security forces retaliated. Exchange of fire continued for around 15 minutes. Unable to face the fire power of security personnel, three naxalites in the camp died at the spot while the rest managed to escape.
Bodies of dead Maoists are being brought to Malkangiri district headquarter for autopsy and identification. Details of goods seized from the spot were awaited as the security forces engaged in this operation had not returned back.
