An exchange of fire took place between the police and the Maoists in the Meghpal reserve forest under Jujumara block in Sambalpur district for over 15 minutes on Wednesday, police sources said.
A platoon of armed police began a combing operation inside the forest after being informed that a group of Maoists was camping in the forest. Another platoon from the Jarang camp joined them during the operation. Seeing the armed forces, the Maoists opened fire at them. This led to an exchange of fire between them. Sambalpur SP Pratik Mohanty rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.
Western Range IG Sanjay Kumar told reporters that the police spotted a Maoist camp inside the forest and a gunfight lasted for 15 minutes between them.