In a significant anti-Maoist operation in advance of the upcoming elections, Odisha police have fatally shot two Maoists in the Boudh region on Thursday morning. On May 13, 20, 25, and June 1, Odisha will conduct simultaneous state assembly and Lok Sabha elections, with Boudh having its election on May 20.
According to ADG (Operations) Dev Datta Singh, gunfire was exchanged between Maoists and SOG personnel in the Parhel reserve forest under the jurisdiction of the Kantamal police. “So far, two Maoist bodies along with explosives and other items have been seized,” Singh stated.
In the last four months, Boudh has reported at least seven instances of gunfire exchange. Boudh and the neighboring Kandhamal district have experienced an increase in Maoist-related unrest. On February 3, a Maoist was killed in the Kandhamal district.