Big Naxal operation in Odisha, Maoist Ganesh Uike, carrying a reward of Rs 1.1 crore, killed

Odisha: Security forces have achieved great success against Naxalism in Odisha. Top CPI leader Ganesh Uike has been killed in an encounter in Kandhamal district of the state, on whom a total reward of Rs 1.1 crore was declared. This encounter took place on Thursday, December 25 during a special operation conducted on the basis of intelligence input.

Ganesh Uike was a member of the Central Committee of the CPI and was commanding the military and strategic operations of the organization in Odisha. This action is being considered a major success for the security agencies who have been searching for him for a long time.

Campaign conducted on the basis of intelligence information

According to the police, after receiving concrete information about Maoist activities in the forests of Kandhamal district, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Odisha Police started the search operation. During this, several rounds of firing took place between the Maoists and security forces, in which Ganesh Uike was killed. Quoting Deccan Chronicle, the police said that this action was based on very accurate intelligence.

Confirmation of killing of three Maoists

According to PTI report, a total of three Maoists have been killed in this encounter, including a woman activist. The two other killed Maoists have been identified as Bari alias Rakesh, who was a regional committee member of CPI (Maoist), and Amrit, who was a Dalam member. Both were residents of Chhattisgarh and a total reward of Rs 23.65 lakh was declared on them.

Another dead body found in search operation

Police said that the body of another woman Maoist was also recovered during an intensive search operation conducted around the encounter site on Thursday morning. However, his identity has not been established yet. Security forces are busy ensuring that no other Maoist is hiding in the area.

Joint operation spread in many districts

Apart from SOG, 23 teams of CRPF and BSF were involved in this operation, which were deployed in the forest areas of Kandhamal and Ganjam districts. There were several face-offs between security forces and Maoists, following which bodies of four Maoists—two men and two women—were recovered during searches.

Weapons and communication equipment recovered

INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, revolvers and several communication equipment have been seized from the encounter sites. It is a matter of relief that no security personnel has been reported injured in this entire operation. The search operation is still going on in the area.

Increased action after recent surrender

This encounter took place at a time when, just a few days ago, 22 Maoists in the neighboring Malkangiri district had surrendered before the Director General of Police of Odisha. Security agencies are considering this as a sign of weakening of the Maoist network in the state.