VISAKHPATNAM: A Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire between the police and the Maoists in the agency areas on the Andhra-Odisha border on Saturday morning.

The police also retrieved some weapons and 10 kit bag from the slain Maoist. They confirmed the encounter but did not reveal further details pertaining to the deceased and the contents of the kit bags.

Sources said that the police had credible information about the Maoists attempting to distribute the forest lands to tribals. About 10 police teams were sent from Visakhapatnam district on a combing operation. While combing between Kindupara and Gabarapara in Rangabayilu panchayat of Munchingput mandal in Visakhapatnam district, one of the police parties found a group of 15 armed Maoists at around 6 am on Saturday.

An exchange of fire took place leading to the killing of a Maoist leader, but others managed to escape into the nearby forests. Visakhapatnam district superintendent of police Koya Praveen confirmed that the police recovered the body of the Maoist aged around 25 years along with four hand grenades, two .303 rifles and 10 kit bags.

Meanwhile, 20 Maoist militia members including seven deputy commanders, surrendered before Visakhapatnam range deputy inspector general of police A Ravichandra in Visakhapatnam on Saturday morning. All the 20 belonged to G Madugula mandal.
Near Andhra-Odisha Border