'Don't enter Odisha', DGP warns Maoists from other states

, Sept 14: The

police today said the killing of 13 Maoists in a pre-dawn gun-battle in Malkangiri district was a warning to the ultras not to venture into the state.

"This is a warning for Maoists of other states. They will face a similar fate as the 13 after entering Odisha," Director General of Police Prakash Mishra said, before leaving for Malkangiri to review the situation after the encounter.

"Odisha Police is set to take firm action against Maoists," Mishra said as he, along with Additional DG (Intelligence) Abhay, Inspector General of Police (Operation) S Priyadarshi and senior police officers engaged in anti-Maoist operations, proceeded to Malkangiri, following the encounter on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.

Giving details of the encounter, Mishra said the police had specific information on the movement of a group of Maoists from Chhattishgarh to Malkangiri district. "Our personnel headed by Malkangiri SP Akileshwar Singh launched a combing operation on the border, based on intelligence input and received success," he said.

PTI