After a long silence, Maoists are again active in the Rourkela police district region.
In the wake of an exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists in the Silpatta forest of Sanbalijore under the K Bolanga police station in the Rourkela police district region, a cache of ammunitions were seized and many Maoist camps were destroyed, informed Western Region Police IG RK Sharma here in a Press briefing on Saturday.
According to Sharma, since June 15, a joint combing operation by the Rourkela police and the CRPF 19th Battalion has been going on in different probable Maoist bastions.
The joint combing operations were conducted on Saturday morning at about 7.30 when the ultras opened fire first. In retaliation, the security forces exchanged fire. About 150 to 200 rounds of fire could have taken place, added Sharma.
Though no casualty from security forces’ sides was noticed, some Maoists might have been injured. The ultras fled away, but about 25 to 30 Maoist camps were noticed and 74 live bullets, 10 detonators, Maoist leaflets, uniforms and other materials were recovered, said Sharma, adding that there were about 50 to 60 Maoists.
Additional forces were sent to the area, and the combing operations would be intensified further, he further added.
Among others, CRPF Commandant Hemant Kumar and Rourkela SP Anirudha Singh were present at the Press meet.