Rourkela, Nov 8: An intense exchange of fire broke out between security forces and Maoists along the Odisha–Jharkhand border, leading to the recovery of a large quantity of weapons and explosives.

According to reports, the encounter began on Thursday evening in the Saranda forest and continued into Friday. Joint teams of the COBRA battalion and state police launched a major anti-Maoist operation under Jareikela police limits, targeting Maoist hideouts in the border region.

As the security personnel advanced, Maoists opened indiscriminate fire. The forces retaliated strongly, forcing the rebels to retreat into the dense forest.

Following the gun battle, security forces recovered two SLR rifles, one .303 rifle, 245 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 13 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 10 detonators, and around 16 kilograms of explosives from the spot.

Search operations have been intensified in the area as security forces continue to comb the forest to flush out any remaining Maoist operatives.