Bhubaneswar, Jan 21: In a major crackdown, at least 12 Maoists were gunned down in a joint operation by Odisha Police, Chhattisgarh Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel near border areas of Nuapada district and Chhattisgarh’s Gariabandh district early Tuesday morning.

As per reports, the joint operation began on Monday and two women Maoists were neutralized on the first day. The forces recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition, and IEDs, including one SLR rifle from the scene. In the early hours of Tuesday, an exchange of fire ensued between the Maoists and the Special Operations Group (SOG) in which 12 more red rebels were gunned down. The number of casualties might rise.

A massive search operation is currently underway in the area.

Notably, the joint operation was carried out based on intelligence inputs received on January 19 indicating presence of Maoists in the Kularighat Reserve Forest in Chhattisgarh, located just 5 km from the Odisha border. 

Acting swiftly, the Odisha Police’s SOG, Chhattisgarh’s E-30 force, and CRPF coordinated a joint inter-state mission to tackle the red rebels.