Three naxalites including a top Commander injured in firing

Bhubaneswar, Jan 30 (UNI) Commander of Motu Dalam Ashok Koyashi and two other naxalites were injured during a fierce encounter with the Special Operation Group (SOG) at Kondapali village in Malkangiri district last night, sources said today.

Malkangiri Superintendent of Police S K Gajbhiye told UNI over phone that Koyashi, a Naxalite in the rank of a commander, received a bullet injury on his chest.

However, Mr Gajbhiye said, the injured naxalites were taken by their cadres to Manimkunda village. The SOG, he said, had intensified combing operation, after the incident, to nab the injured naxalites.

Mr Gajbhiye further said a Squad comprising village volunteer force and Special Operation Group (SOG), led by Sgt B P Jena of SOG, reached the village on receipt of information that naxalites had been conducting meeting at the village.

The naxalites tried to ambush the security force and when they failed in their attempt, they opened fire at the force. The security personnel, the SP said, then retaliated and in the fire exchange, which continued for several hours, the three naxalites were injured.

UNI DP-BD KK PY BD2220