At least 20 Maoists were gunned down on Sunday during combing operations at Nayagarh and four other districts of Orissa where the Maoists had struck two days ago, killing 15.Security forces, however, lost three of its personnel in the operation in sensitive pockets in Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts. “We have information about the killing of 20 Maoists and three jawans of Special Operations Group (SOG) during the combing operation,” Home Secretary T K Mishra told reporters. “Additional Director General of Police M M Praharaj is leading the operation which would continue till the end. Casualty of Naxals could be more”, he said. Without disclosing the exact location where the Maoists were killed, Mishra said “reports are received from different places including the Gansar Hills”. Sophisticated equipment like night binoculars, global positioning system (GPS) and other gadgets were being used to monitor movement of ultras inside dense forests. Two choppers were being used for movement of personnel in order to coordinate the operation, he added. Police believe they have inflicted massive casualties on the Maoists, though the exact figure is still to be ascertained. Gunbattles were reported from Taraingi area of Ganjam district and in Chahali in Kandhmal district, both of which are in close proximity to Nayagarh. On Friday night, Maoists had carried out what is believed to be the biggest-ever offensive in Orissa in which they looted arms and ammunition from armouries of three police stations in Nayagarh, killing 15 persons, including 13 policemen. Mishra said Special Secretary (internal security) M L Kumawat also visited Nayagarh and was in talks with the Government officials on the strategies to be taken.
