A Maoist was killed and arms and ammunition seized during an exchange of fire on the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border early Saturday morning. Inspector General of Police (South-West Range) Y K Jethwa said a joint combing operation launched by the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh police led to an exchange of fire which led to the death of the Maoist. Jethwa said the operation was launched after receiving a tip-off that some Maoists had set up camps near the villages close to the cut-off area of Malkangiri and border of Vishakhapatnam Rural district. [related-post] The joint combing team came under fire from a group of about 15 Maoists between Kindupara and Gabarapara in Rangabayilu panchayat of Vishakhapatnam Rural district Saturday morning following which the police team retaliated. Later, the police found the body of a 25-year-old Maoist along with four hand grenades, two .303 rifles and 10 kit bags. The identity of the slain Maoist and the contents of the bags are yet to be known. The other Maoists however, managed to flee. This is the second joint combing anti-Maoist operation by Andhra and Odisha police this year. In January this year, five Maoists were killed in the cut-off area after a joint combing operation by Greyhound force of Andhra Pradesh and Special Operations Group of Odisha police.
