Wanted Maoist commander gunned down in Orissa

Rourkela (Orissa), Feb 8 (PTI) Maoist leader SamirKhalko, who was involved in the killing of a sub-inspector andbombing railway stations in Orissa, was today gunned down bysecurity forces during an encounter in Mundatola forest.

An encounter with the security forces began early thismorning when they were fired upon by the armed Maoist groupwhich Khalko was leading in the dense forest.

Khalko, the area commander of Nuagaon area of theNaxal outfit, was killed on the spot when the security forcesretaliated, sources said.

The body was recovered from the spot and brought toChandiposh police station.

Police said Samir was the leader of Maoist activitiesin Orisa-Jharkhand areas. He was involved in several Maoistsactivities including killing of Koida sub-inspector of policeAjit Bardhan nearly one-and-a-half-years ago. He was involvedin blasting of railway stations at Chandiposh and Bandamunda.

Security forces seized a 9 mm pistol, 30 rounds oflive cartridge and a bag containing uniform of Maoists andother articles from the spot.

The security forces finding the presence of Maoists inthe forest area during the Bharat Bandh call given by theNaxal outfit had intensified their night combing operation inMundatola area.

The combing operation was still continuing in theforest area, the police sources said.