A woman Maoist cadre was gunned down during an exchange of fire between a group of Maoists and the SOG jawans on Sunday in Khanjalagu and Melsiskia forest area under Barakhama Out Post of Baliguda police station.
At around 03.00 pm on Sunday, while the SOG teams were returning to the base camp, the team noticed a group of uniformed cadres of CPI Maoists near a water body in the forest area located to the west of Melsikia village. On seeing the SOG teams, the Maoist opened unprovoked and indiscriminate fire at the SOG teams. The SOG teams retaliated. The firing continued for about 45 minutes. After the firing stopped, the police team conducted an extensive area search operation, in which a female body, clad in olive green uniform, was recovered from the spot.
The body was identified as Banila, an Area Committee member. She is a native of Gariaband district of Chhatisgarh and was carrying a cash reward of Rs 4 lakh on her head. SOG commando Vishal Bangja sustained bullet injuries and was referred to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Brahmapur, for treatment.
The items recovered include one 0.303 rifle with magazine, 13 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a camera flash, Maoist literature, maps, utility items and cash of Rs 4,000. Further search operations were on.