Intelligence based operation launched to track Naxalites

Bhubaneswar, Feb 20 (UNI) On the fifth day of the combing operation to flush out the fleeing naxalites responsible for Nayagarh mayhem, police dogs were pressed to track the movement of the ultras hiding in various jungles in small groups after a fierce encounter at the Gasama hill.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said intelligence based operations are now continuing in definite operational zones while adequate forces have been deployed in strategic location to flush out the ultras and recover the looted arms and ammunition.

The forces engaged in the combing operation had already retrieved nearly 40 per cent of the arms and 50 per cent of the ammunition from the Gasama hill from where the ultras have fled to the nearby jungles in the wake of mounting joint combing operation by the Greyhound, Special Operation Group, CRPF and Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) jawans.

Making a statement in the Assembly, which witnessed stalemate for the second day today over the Naxalite issue, the Chief Minister said more number of senior and experienced police officers have been mobilised, who were directly monitoring the operation at the spot.

Mr Patnaik said the services of the two Indian Air Force helicopters were being utilised for aerial reconnaissance of probable hideouts and the escape routes of the Naxals and force's movement. He further said some suspects were being interrogated and the search parties have detected eight vehicles used by the Naxalites in the Nayagarh incident in half burnt condition at the site of encounter in Gasama forest.

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