A hardcore Maoist and his two bodyguards were killed in an encounter with the District Voluntary Force (DVF) in the Mathili area of Malkangiri district on Saturday.
Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said that the hardcore Maoist leader identified as Sunadhara was working as the area committee member of Darbha Maoist division in Chhattisgarh.
Sunadhara is allegedly involved in many cases of murder and extortion in the area and adjoining Darbha region. The Odisha Government had declared a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head, sources said.
Mohapatra said a team of the Special Operation Group (SOG) and the District Voluntary Force (DVF) had launched a combing operation in Bhejaguda forest in Mathili area after getting reliable intelligence input. During search operation, the security personnel came face-to-face with the Maoists. The ultras were killed after a heavy exchange of fire, he added.
Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, he added.
While several other ultras managed to flee the spot, the SP said, the security personnel seized a huge cache of weapons and other Maoist materials from the spot including a pistol, sharp weapons, walkie-talkie sets, uniforms and Maoist literature.
“Combing and patrolling has been intensified in the area after the incident,” said Mohapatra.
Meanwhile, the Maoists have called a Malkangiri bandh on September 25 protesting mass surrendering of people including militia members.