Maoist leader shot dead in Orissa

Rourkela (Orissa), Feb 8 (PTI) Self-styled Naxalcommander Samir Thalko was today shot dead in an encounterwith security forces inside Chandiposh forest area, about 65km from here, in Orissa''s Sundergarh district.

A joint patrolling team of CRPF and SOG jawans duringtheir combing operation spotted the Maoist cadre and anencounter took place in which he was killed.

Thalko was involved in the killing of Ajit Bardhan,Sub-inspector of Koida police station two years ago.A 9 mmpistol and 30 rounds of live cartridges were found from hispossession, the police said.

During the ''Bharat Bandh'' called by the Naxalites, astrong group of armed Maoists had opened fire at a passengertrain at Pattasahi near Chandiposh yesterday.