Anti-Maoist operation launched on Odisha-Andhra border

Bhubaneswar, Jan 5 (IANS) After two tribal youths were killed by Maoists in Odisha's Malkangiri district, security forces have launched an anti-Maoist operation along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border.

According to police, about 30 armed Maoists stormed into Keriaguda area Sunday evening and took away two youths suspected to be police spies. Both were beaten to death.

Security forces, including police and paramilitary forces, launched their operation Sunday night to flush out the Maoists.

The security personnel are drawn from the Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh, Special Operation Group of Odisha Police, the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force.

There were gunbattles in Panasput area along the border, police said.

Odisha Inspector General of Police Y.S. Jethwa said some Maoists may have been killed but no specific details were available.

"The exact number of Maoist casualties will come out only after the encounter is over and the bodies are recovered," he said.

"There may be some casualties but it cannot be ascertained since the operation is still on."

Jethwa said the operation followed intelligence inputs that Maoists, including central committee member Ramakrishna alias RK, were holding a key meeting in the area.