Four Maoists, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Odisha's Kandhamal district. The clash took place late Wednesday night in the Gumma jungle within the Belghar police station area. On Thursday, police confirmed that one of the slain insurgents has been identified as top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, who carried a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head.
According to reports, a small mobile team of the Odisha Police's Special Operation Group (SOG) had launched a search operation in the forest when they confronted the Maoists. Heavy cross-fire ensued between the two sides. While the bodies of two male cadres were recovered immediately, the bodies of the two female Maoists were found near the encounter site on Thursday morning. Their identities have not yet been established. Police seized a revolver, a 303 rifle and a walkie-talkie set from the scene.
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No security personnel were injured during the operation, and search efforts in the area have been intensified. This encounter occurred just one day after 22 Maoists surrendered before Odisha DGP YB Khurania in the neighboring Malkangiri district.
#WATCH | Bhubaneswar: Top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, carrying Rs1.1 crore bounty, killed in encounter
— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2025
Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania says, "A major anti-Naxal joint operation is underway on the border of Ganjam district. This morning, the Odisha Police and security forces… pic.twitter.com/nF8uNwLktb