Red camp busted in Kandhamal

Berhampur: Security forces on Thursday busted a Maoist camp in the jungle in Lankagarh gram panchayat under Kandhamal district's Belghar police limits following an exchange of fire with the Red rebels.
The camp was unearthed just ahead of the the PLGA (Peoples Liberation Guerilla Army) week by the CPI (Maoist) beginning Friday.
Preliminary information revealed several Maoist uniforms, gelatin sticks, detonators, live wire, ammunition, medicine and ration items along with some scrapped currencies were seized from the camp, said inspector general of police (southern range) Amitabh Thakur here.The exact quantity of the seized materials would be known only after the security forces return from the jungle, added SP (Kandhamal) Pinak Mishra.
Acting on an intelligence input, the anti-Maoist operation was carried out in the area by the special operation group (SOG). The exchange of fire between the SOG personnel and guerillas lasted around one hour before the ultras fled the camp. Around 20 to 25 extremists were present in the camp, police sources said.
"We can't say right now how many rebels were injured, but no security personnel was hurt," said the SP. He said combing operation has been further intensified in the area by deploying more security forces.
The Maoists belonging to Chhatisgarh might have tried to strengthen their base in the district during the observation of the LPGA week from December 2 to 9, said a senior police officer.