Malkangiri: The ‘commander’ of a Naxal group was killed in an encounter with the security personnel in Swabhiman area in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Wednesday.
The slain Maoist has been identified as Rakesh Sodhi, a native of e Ghattapad village under Kistaram police limits of Sukma district in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. He was carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh on his head, Police said.
Sodhi was Divisional Commander rank member of Military Platoon, Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee.
He was earlier part of Kalimela Action Team, then went on to become Local guerilla squad (LGS ) Commander in Malkangiri-Koraput border (MKB) divisional committee.
Sodhi is believed to have been involved in a series of crimes executed by CPI (Maoists) to create terror among people. The major cases include– Manthriam attack (2008),in which as many as 17 SOG Jawan and RI S.K Mishra attained Martyrdom; 2012 Janiguda-landline Attack on BSF (2012), in which four BSF personnel including Commandant had attained martyrdom; Khairput Market attack and murder of SI (2012); MV 79 Haat-Attack on CRPF (2007).
Earlier in the day, a jawan of the District Voluntary Force (DVF) has been martyred during the exchange of fire between security forces and red ultras in the district.
Exchange of fire was underway near Bonda ghat in the district, when the last reports came in.
Also Read: Odisha: DVF Jawan Martyred, Maoist Killed In Malkangiri
Kalinga AI