Bhubaneswar: Security personnel recovered a huge quantity of explosive materials after an exchange of fire with a group of Maoists inside a forest in Paikmal area of Odisha’s Bargarh district on Friday.
The encounter took place when personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were conducting a combing operation inside the forest in Paikmal area of the western Odisha district, close to Chhattisgarh.
Acting on a tip-off about presence of a group of Maoists on Gandhamardan Hill, a team of SOG and CRPF personnel had launched a combing operation and the ultras reportedly opened fire after seeing the cops in a hilly terrain near village Khandijharanunder in the morning.
As the security personnel retaliated in self defence, a fierce gunbattle ensued in the forest, sources said. The encounter reportedly continued for quite some time.
After the exchange of fire, security personnel searched the area and found IED, 8 bags, camp articles, clothes, food items etc. Search is continuing in the area.
Senior police officials have rushed to the area in the wake of the encounter to take stock of the situation.
