Date:07/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/07/stories/2008070759260600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Maoist killed in encounter in Orissa

Staff Reporter

Visakhapatnam: A Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire with commandos of the Special Operation Group (SOG) near MV-81 village in Malkangiri district of Orissa in the wee hours of Sunday, according to a report from Berhampur.

The exchange of fire took place while the security forces and Navy personnel were busy retrieving the launch and the bodies of the greyhounds jawans from the Chitrakonda reservoir.

After the June 29 incident a massive combing operation is on in Malkangiri, especially in areas surrounding the reservoir.

According to Malkangiri Superintendent of Police S.K. Gajbhiye the exchange of fire between the Maoists and the SOG took place inside the dense forests near MV-81 village. However, no policemen were injured.

The police recovered the body of the Maoist, which was brought to the district headquarters. His identity is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, the CPI (Maoist) claimed that the sinking of the launch was an operation of the People’s Liberation of Guerrilla Army (PLGA) wing of the Andhra-Orissa border.

The Central committee spokesman said in a press release that the Maoists would continue to target the Greyhounds if they continued to venture into Orissa and Chhattisgarh to carry out operations.