No Casualties Reported Following Firefight Between Security Forces And CPI (Maoist) Squad In Bargarh District

Bargarh SP Prahalad Sahai Meena reported that based on intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists on Gandhamardan hill, an anti-Maoist operation was launched by a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Wednesday.

“While a combing operation was underway, an exchange of fire took place between the security forces and the Maoists at around 8.30 am on Friday. Following the gun battle, our team searched the area and seized a number of Maoist articles.”

Meena informed that the entire Maoist camp was destroyed in the operation but there were no casualties. During search, the security forces recovered improvised explosive devices (IED), eight bags, clothes, food and other Maoist articles.

Following the operation, IG (Northern Range) Himanshu Lal reached Bargarh to take stock of the situation. A combing operation is continuing in the area. It is being monitored by Lal and Meena, declared police sources. The anti-Maoist operation was launched under the supervision of DGP in-charge Arun Sarangi and ADG (Operations) Dev Datta Singh.

Sources stated that the Balangir, Bargarh and Mahasamund (BBM) Divisional Committee of the CPI (Maoist) is operating along Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. Police are keeping a close eye on all the Maoist-affected districts of the state in view of the upcoming general elections.

Source : https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Feb/24/security-forces-bust-maoist-camp-after-exchange-of-fire-with-rebels-in-odisha