9 Maoists killed in Orissa encounter

At least nine Maoists were gunned down in an encounter with the police in a hilly and forested area of Orissa's Naxal-hit Rayagada district on Sunday morning, said the police. The gunbattle took place in Kashipur-Kalyansinghpur border area, after the police conducted a raid following information about the presence of ultras there, Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj said.

The bodies of nine rebels, some weapons and explosive materials were found in the area where the Maoists were believed to have set up a camp, he said.

A police team, led by Sub-divisional Police Officer of Muniguda R Prakash, raided the site at Bhamramali near Huma Jharan after getting information about the movement of Maoists, Deputy Inspector General of Police Soumendra Priyadarshi said.

The operation was carried out by the personnel of Orissa State Armed Police, he said. Additional forces were sent to the area to conduct combing operations and stepping up patrolling, the DIG said.