Six Maoists, including CPI (Maoist) central committee member Ganesh Uike, were killed in a series of gunfights with security forces in forested areas of Odisha’s Kandhamal district over the past two days, police said on Thursday.
Uike, a central committee member of the banned outfit and its chief in Odisha, was carrying a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore. A senior officer overseeing anti-Naxal operations said his death marks one of the most significant successes against Left-wing extremism in the state in recent years.
The encounters unfolded over two days in forested areas along the Kandhamal-Ganjam inter-district boundary. Two Maoists from Chhattisgarh were killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in the Gumma forest under Belghar police station limits on Wednesday night. Fresh gun battles broke out on Thursday morning in the Chakapad police station area, resulting in the killing of four more Maoists.
“Four Maoists were killed in the gunfight. One of them was identified as 69-year-old Ganesh Uike, who is also known by his aliases Pakka Hanumantu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru and Rupa. He was a native of Pullemala village under Chendur mandal in Telangana's Nalgonda district,” the officer said.
The identities of the remaining three Maoists killed on Thursday, including two women, are yet to be confirmed, police said.
Director General of Police Y B Khurania described the operation as a decisive moment in the state’s fight against Maoist violence. Addressing a press conference, he said, “Two Maoists were gunned down on Wednesday, and four were neutralised this morning. Killing of a central committee member is a big success for Odisha Police. It has broken the backbone of the Maoists in the state.”
Also read: Top Naxal commander Madvi Hidma killed in Andhra encounter
“Operations are underway at different places along the Kandhamal-Ganjam inter-district boundary and we hope to get more success. This is one of the biggest operations against Maoists in Odisha in recent times. We thank the security personnel involved in the operation. We are determined to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah's target of eliminating Naxalism by March, 2026,” Khurania added.
Police said the offensive was launched following specific intelligence inputs. A joint force comprising 23 teams, 20 from the Special Operations Group of Odisha Police, two from the CRPF and one from the BSF, was deployed across the Chakapad area of Kandhamal and the adjoining Rambha forest range in Ganjam district.
“Multiple gunfights were reported on Thursday in different areas. Later, four bodies of Maoists, two men and women each, were recovered. Two INSAS rifles and a .303 rifle were also seized,” another officer said.
The two Maoists killed on Wednesday night were identified as CPI (Maoist) area committee member Bari alias Rakesh and dalam member Amrit, both residents of Chhattisgarh. A senior police officer said the duo carried a combined bounty of Rs 23.65 lakh.
The encounters come close on the heels of 22 Maoists surrendering before the police leadership in neighbouring Malkangiri district earlier this week, underscoring intensified pressure on the outlawed group across southern Odisha.
Follow us
