A major anti-Maoist operation in Kandhamal district, Odisha, has resulted in the killing of five Maoists during a two-day combing exercise, police said. On Wednesday, two Maoists were killed in an exchange
of fire in the Gumma forest area under the Belghar police station limits. On Thursday, three more Maoists were neutralised during another encounter in the Narig Jholla forest area under the Chakapad police station.
Acting on specific inputs from the Special Intelligence Wing (SIW), security forces launched a joint operation involving 23 teams, 20 Special Operations Group (SOG) teams, two CRPF teams, and one BSF team across the Chakapad police station area of Kandhamal and adjoining parts of Ganjam district in the Rambha forest range. Multiple exchanges of fire were reported on the morning of December 25, 2025, at several locations involving SOG teams.
Following search operations, security forces recovered four Maoist bodies in uniform (two men and two women) along with two INSAS rifles and one .303 rifle. One of the slain Maoists has been identified as Ganesh Uike, a Central Committee member and the head of Maoist operations in Odisha. The identities of the other three are yet to be established. Officials said further search operations are continuing, adding that Devuji is now believed to be the only remaining key Maoist leader active in the region.
