Vizianagaram, March 25: Three policemen were killed and six others severely injured during an exchange of fire in Tojango forest area of Gumma block of Gajapati district (Orissa) close to Andhra-Orissa Border in the wee hours of Wednesday.
The Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Volunteer Force (DVF) of Orissa were combing the forest area when Maoists started firing at the police party.
In the exchange of fire that ensued for 45 minutes, Deepak Senbai and Balaram Pradhani belonging to the Special Operation Group besides Sanjay Tarky, belonging to the DVF were killed.
Six other constables – Upendra Subra, Rajesh Munda, Pradeep Kumar Set, Babithi Bhushanraj, Pratapsing Pradhan and Patnano Pradhan – were injured. The injured were later shifted to King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam.
It is learnt that the Maoists had planned to mark their presence on the occasion of the 48-hour bandh call given by them by letting the police get information that they were assembling in the Tojango forest area.
When the police sent their parties into the forest, the Maoists attacked them killing three policemen and injuring six others.
Meanwhile, Palakonda DSP T Mohana Rao told `Express’ that the exchange of fire did take place and the Srikakulam police on the border besides Central forces were put on high alert to prevent any such incident in the State.
Visakhapatnam (Sileru): On the other hand, a total of six special party police including one officer of the Orissa Police were seriously injured in a exchange of fire between police and Maoists last evening at Marribeda village in Malkangiri district of Orissa, closer to the AOB.
Going into the details, special party police engaged in providing security to a procession of the local deity was attacked, supposedly by Maoists injuring six police personnel.
Meanwhile, 22 year-old Special police officer – Basudev Khila, who was severely injured was airlifted to Visakhapatnam and admitted in the Seven Hills hospital in the City late Tuesday night.
–Agencies