IED event in Odisha, Kandhamal-Boudh Districts in Kandhamal District area, India on Tue 6th December 2022

Two women Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were killed in an exchange of fire between Security Forces (SFs) and the extremists on border of Kandhamal-Boudh Districts in Matakupa Reserve Forest area under Gochhapada Police limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha on December 6, reports The New Indian Express. Basing on intelligence inputs, Kandhamal, Superintendent of Police (SP) Vineet Agarwal led a coordinated combing operation in the area when all of a sudden, the Maoists opened fire at the SFs. In retaliation the Special Operations Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) personnel too fired and gunned down two Maoists, Inspector General (IG) Satyabrata Bhoi said, adding, the others however escaped taking advantage of the dense forests. Bodies of two female cadres of the banned CPI-Maoist in uniform were recovered from the site. Besides, four fire arms including an INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifle with 11 rounds of ammunition and one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) have been recovered from the area. However, the identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained, the IG said, adding, combing operation has been intensified. More teams have been pressed into the area.