21 Maoists killed in encounter on Andhra-Odisha border, 2 policemen injured

Visakhapatnam: In a major encounter, 21 Maoists were gunned down in an exchange of fire with the Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Police in Malkangiri forest area on the AP-Odisha border (AOB) in the wee hours today, a top police official said. Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police, N. Sambasiva Rao who left for AOB of Agency area immediately upon receiving news of the encounter, confirmed the Naxal casualties.

According to the District Rural SP Mr Sharma two constables of Greyhounds, an elite anti-Maoist force, were also injured in the encounter that occurred during a routine combing operation being jointly carried out by police of both the states at Ramgurha in Malkangiri district of Odisha. The face-off between the security personnel and the outlaws lasted for about an hour.

The injured constables were shifted for treatment to the King George Hospital (KGH) in the Smart City by helicopter, the police official added. Police have recovered four AK-47 rifles from the scene of the encounter, where a Maoist den was also found. The AP DGP said combing operation was still continuing as there was information that there were some more Maoists roaming in the region.(UNI)