ID :
55430
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 17:28
Auther :

Explosives looted by Maoists recovered; combing operation on

Bhubaneswar, Apr 14 (PTI) Security forces have
recovered substantial volume of explosives and arms looted by
the Maoists during their daring raid on the Nalco bauxite mine
in Koraput district, police said Tuesday.

Two days after Maoists attacked the mine and gunned
down 11 CISF personnel, Central forces Tuesday stepped up
combing operation in the the Indian eastern region to nab the
ultras.

"The joint operation by security forces against
Maoists has been intensified. It is yielding desired results,"
said Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj.

He said substantial volume of explosives and arms
looted by the Maoists had been recovered by the security
forces but declined to divulge details.

However, police sources said that security personnel
have recovered the van containing explosives which had been
driven away and abandoned at a secluded place by the ultras.

Though some of the explosives were suspected to have
been taken away by the naxals, about 230 boxes containing
explosives were recovered by the security forces after a
fierce exchange of fire with the fleeing ultras, they said.

Although the police initially apprehended that the
ultras could have slipped into neighbouring Andhra Pradesh,
some of them were later located hiding at Panchpatmali jungle.

A joint combing operation was being conducted by
Central forces, Orissa's anti-naxalite force Special Operation
Group (SOG) and commandos from Andhra Pradesh.

Two choppers of the Indian Air Force were also pressed
into service in the operation to locate the outlaws, the
sources said, adding it was not clear whether any of the
ultras had been nabbed or killed in the offensive.

Meanwhile, mining work in Panchpatmali hills has been
suspended by Nalco in view of apprehension that the ultras
could have laid landmines in the area, sources said adding
there would be no mining for a day or two.PTI

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