Malkangiri, March 30: A top Maoist commander was killed in an encounter between security forces and Maoists in the Palampalli forest area of Sukma district in neighbouring Chhattisgarh along the Malkangiri border.
The deceased has been identified as Muchaki Kailas, a hardcore Maoist leader carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chouhan confirmed the incident.
According to official sources, intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists in the forest prompted police and security personnel to launch a joint search operation. During the operation, an exchange of fire took place between the two sides for a considerable period.
Following the gunfight, the body of Muchaki Kailas was recovered from the spot. He was reportedly active as a PPCM cadre section commander of Platoon No. 31 and had long-standing links with the Maoist organisation.
Security forces also seized an automatic weapon and a large cache of explosives from the encounter site.
Meanwhile, the incident comes amid intensified anti-Maoist operations across Telangana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh ahead of the March 31 deadline set by the Centre for Maoists to surrender.
Over 10,000 security personnel have been deployed in the ongoing operations. While several Maoists have surrendered, others have been neutralised in encounters. Officials said further action will depend on developments after the deadline expires.
