Malkangiri: Security forces on Saturday gunned down three Maoists during an encounter in a forest in Malkangiri district.
Police said, a team of Special Operation Group and District Voluntary Force (DVF) launched an operation in Bhejaguda forest of Mathili area on a tip off and came face to face with the ultra group.
Thereafrer, a fierce exchange of fire broke out in which three red rebels, including Darabha Maoist division area committee member Sunadhara and his two body guards were killed, while several others fled, Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said.
A pistol, some sharp weapons, walkie talkie sets, Maoist uniforms and several other naxal materials including literature were recovered from the site.
Those killed included Sunadhara, who held an important position in Maoist Hierarchy and involved in many crimes in Mathili area in Odisha and adjoining Darabha region in Chhattisgarh, he said.
Combing and patrolling has been intensified in the area after the incident.
