Malkangiri: At least five members of outlawed CPI (Maoists) group including women have been shot dead by police during a gun battles which erupted in Kalimela area in the district this morning.
As per R P Koche, IG (Operation) the encounter took place during a combing operation which was being undertaken in the Bejingwada Forest under Kalimela police limits early this morning. A group of Red rebels of Kalimela Dalam Division of Maoists led by Ranadev opened fire at the 2 Special Operation Group (SOG) teams of Odisha Police which was taking part in the combing.
As police retaliated a massive gun battle took place between the two sides in which five Maoists were killed, added ADG.
Police also found a number of SLR and 303 rifles from the spot along with a huge cache of Maoist items and seized those.
The gun battle was underway till this report was being filed.
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Ms Kalinga