Maoist camp destroyed in Kakulajhar reserve forest

A Maoist camp was destroyed by security forces in a gun battle in Kakulajhar reserve forest in Odisha's Kandhamal district today, police said.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of the camp, district police and the special operation group (SOG) had launched a joint operation in the forest this morning and were shot at by the Maoists, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police, Pratik Kumar Singh told reporters.

An exchange of fire ensued and 12 to 15 Maoists, who were holding a meeting at the hide-out at the time of the operation, fled the scene.

Several articles of daily use and Maoist literature were later seized and the camp was completely destroyed, he said.

Intensive search operation was carried out in the forest and no arms and ammunition was found from the spot, the SP said.