Maoist leader killed in Chhattisgarh was involved in murders of Andhra’s ex-home minister, DIG

At a press conference on Friday, police officers said two Odisha State Committee Members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), identified as Pramod alias Pandu and Vimal alias Manganna, were among those killed.

Thursday’s encounter broke out in the afternoon on the Rajadera-Matal hills, under the jurisdiction of Mainpur police station. The police said a total of 10 weapons, including automatic weapons like AK-47s, SLRs and INSAS rifles, were seized.

ADGP Sinha said, “So far, security forces have killed the (CPI-Maoists’) general secretary and three CCMs (Central Committee members). This is a big achievement for us. All the forces, like Chhattisgarh Police, CRPF, ITBP and BSF, are working shoulder to shoulder to eradicate Naxalism. The encounter will have a huge impact in eradicating Naxalism from Gariaband and Dhamtari districts, and in the days to come, we will get to see more Naxals surrendering. We will get more information on their activities. Further, it will impact Naxal activities in other districts.”