Security forces kill 20 Maoists in Orissa

At least 20 Maoists were killed by the security forces during a massive combing operation in five districts of Orissa, including Nayagarh, where 15 people were killed in the Friday nights Maoist attack.

Bhubaneswar, Feb 17 : At least 20 Maoists were killed by the security forces during a massive combing operation in five districts of Orissa, including Nayagarh, where 15 people were killed in the Friday night's Maoist attack.

However, three Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel were also killed in the combing operation launched in Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts.

"We have information about killing of 20 Maoists and three jawans of Special Operation Group (SOG) during the combing operation," Home Secretary T K Mishra told reporters.

"We have started intense combat operation in different parts of the region. We have got additional deployment of police force and additional support from Government of India, and senior officials of the State Government and the Home Ministry are monitoring the situation," said Mishra.

Fifteen people, including 13 policemen, a civilian and a gram rakhi (village guard), were killed when armed Naxalites unleashed a wave of attacks on police establishments like police stations, district police armoury and police training centre in Nayagarh late on Friday night.

Twelve policemen and women also sustained injuries in the attacks. The condition of some of the injured police personnel is stated to be critical.

In a daring and meticulously planned wave of attacks, the ultras virtually laid a siege to the town.

The Naxals, who included women cadres, looted huge quantities of arms and ammunitions from the district armoury in a truck and a bus they hijacked; besides setting on fire the police stations and vehicles. The arms looted by the ultras included light machine guns and assault rifles.

ANI