Bhubaneswar

Three Maoists, including a woman cadre, were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, police said on Thursday.

The encounter occurred Wednesday night in Gumma forest near Belghar police station. Two male Naxals were identified as CPI(Maoist) area committee member Bari alias Rakesh and dalam member Amrit, both from Chhattisgarh, with a combined bounty of Rs 23.65 lakh. The woman cadre’s body was recovered Thursday morning and is yet to be identified.

Acting on a tip-off, a Special Operation Group (SOG) team of Odisha Police launched a combing operation and came under fire. “An intense exchange of gunfire took place, leading to the death of the Maoists,” a senior officer said.

Authorities recovered a revolver, a .303 rifle, and a walkie-talkie from the site. No casualties were reported among the security forces, and combing operations have been intensified in the area.

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The encounter came a day after 22 Maoists surrendered to Odisha DGP YB Khurania in neighbouring Malkangiri district.