Two Maoists Gunned Down In Odisha’s Boudh

Boudh, April 25: Odisha police gunned down two Maoists in Boudh district in the early hours of Thursday, ahead of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Odisha State Assembly.

Director of intelligence, Soumendra Priyadarshi said the bodies of two Maoist cadres were recovered by the elite anti naxal force special operations group after an exchange of fire with a group of Maoists in Parhel reserve forest area of Boudh district.

“The deceased were identified as Sunil and Santu, both party members, and both belong to the 8th Company of Maoists. Sunil is originally from Sukuma and Santu from Bijapur in Chhattisgarh,” said police sources.

Following a tip-off about the presence of 40 to 50 ultras, the personnel of Special Operation Group, an elite commando unit of Odisha Police, launched a search operation in the Parhel Reserve Forest early on Thursday morning. The extremists opened fire after seeing the security personnel.

The exchange of fire between security personnel and Maoists continued for more than an hour. Later, the SOG jawans recovered the bodies of slain ultras during the search operation in the forest.

Police have so far seized arms, grenades and other incriminating articles. The Moaist camp has reportedly been destroyed by them.

Simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held in Odisha on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1. Boudh will go to the polls on May 20.