Encounter with Maoists; Police seize huge arms

Malkangiri, Orissa, Mar 20 (UNI) The police have seized huge arms and ammunition during a fierce encounter with the Maoists near Jakulkundi jungle under Kalimela police station, 80 kms away from here yesterday.

Top police sources claimed that three naxalites are suspected to have been killed in police firing.

Acting on a tip-off from neighboring state over influx of armed militants from Chattisgarh area, the Special Operation Group (SOG) launched an intensive combing operation in Jakulkundi jungle.

The SOG spotted a naxal camp inside the jungle and faced a stiff resistance from the Maoists leading to an encounter for more than two hours.

Sources said the Maoists fled from the scene under the cover of darkness but the SOG was able to seize huge quantity of explosives, guns, bullets, naxal literatures and domestic materials from the camp.

Police said about 19 hardcore Maoists were staying in the camp and most of them were wounded in the firing.'' We anticipate at least three Maoists were killed in the encounter and their bodies were taken by the left wing ultras into the dense forest,'' he added.

Meanwhile, combing operation has been further intensified under Kalimela police station areas to flush out the Maoists from the area.

UNI