Two Maoists killed; arms, ammunition recovered in Odisha

Two Left Wing Extremists were killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, while one AK-47 rifle fitted with an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) was recovered from Maoists.

“It was a major success against Maoist insurgents on Sunday (February 22, 2026) with the neutralisation of two armed cadres, one deputy Platoon Commander Jagesh and party member Ratna, in an exchange of fire in the Nandabali Protected Reserve Forest under the Raikia police limits,” Sanjeeb Panda, Additional Director General of Police for Anti Maoist Operations, said on Monday (February 23, 2026).

According to the police, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Harisha B.C. led a joint anti-Maoist operation with 11 teams of the Special Operations Group (SOG), two teams of the Central Reserve Police Force and one District Voluntary Force. They launched an operation based on an actionable intelligence that Maoists were camping in the area and threatening tribals with death on suspicion of being police informers.

“Police recovered one AK-47 rifle fitted with an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), six UBGL grenades, one 7.62 mm Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) with magazines, along with a large quantity of ammunition, medicines, walkie talkie and Maoist materials from the encounter site,” Mr. Panda said.

The deceased Maoists belonged to the Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balangir and Nayagarh division led by senior Maoist leader Sukru. While Jagesh was carrying a cash reward of ₹22 lakh, Ratna had a reward money of ₹1.65 lakh on her head.  

The duo was involved in multiple exchange of fire with the security forces at Sirla, Sindhiponkal, Baibali, Padripoda, Bereni, Raigarh, Kolampada, Dhubusora, Tadikola, Sarlipanga and Upar Dangnam. A combing operation had been launched.

“The Odisha Police remain fully committed to the national objective of ending Naxalism by March 31, 2026, and will continue intensive operations to restore lasting peace in Kandhamal and other affected districts,” said Mr. Panda. Niti Sekhar, Inspector General of Police of the Southern Range; Deepak Kumar, IG, Operations; Akhileshvar Singh, Deputy Inspector General, Operations joined the meeting for assessment of the Maoists situation in the region.