Two Maoists killed in Odisha gun battles

Two Maoists, including one carrying a reward of Rs.1 lakh on his head, were killed in separate gun battles with police in western Odisha, an official said Monday.

While an unidentified woman rebel died Monday in an exchange of fire with police at Sunabeda Sanctuary in Nuapada district, another rebel, Puno Uluka alias Khatru, died in a gunfight at Narayanpatna in Koraput district late Sunday.

Inspector General of Police (Southwestern Range) Yaswant Jethwa said the bodies of the slain rebels have been recovered. Police also seized a rifle used by the woman rebel.

Uluka, an active member of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist, was suspected to have played a key role in a number of murders and other violent crimes in both Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon areas, Jethwa told IANS.

Maoists are active in more than half of the state's 30 districts. Koraput and Nuapada districts are considered their strongholds.