Bhubaneswar: A senior Maoist cadre was killed in an exchange of fire between the
security personnel and the Red rebels inside Jhansi reserve forest near Bhanjagunda village under Padampur Police station of Bargarh district this morning.
Odisha Director General of Police Abhay said the security personnel have recovered an AK 47 Rifle and three magazines besides many rounds of ammunition, camp materials from the deceased Maoist. The DGP said the ultras started firing at the security personnel while a combing operation was jointly being conducted by the DVF of Odisha Police and the Special Operation Group(SOG) commandos. The Maoists was killed when the security personnel retaliated.
Mr Abhay said since in Maoist organisation only senior cadre Maoist use AK 47 Rifle, Police suspected the deceased Maoist could be a senior cadre Maoist. He said efforts are on to establish his identity. Stating that Odisha has a very generous rehabilitation policy, the DGP appealed to the Maoists to take advantage of the surrender policy of the state government, shun violence and join the mainstream.