BSF, Maoists exchange fire

Security personnel belonging to the BSF and a group of Maoists exchange fire at a forest in Koraput district last night, police said.
BSF officials said based on intelligence inputs about the presence of a group of Naxals at a forest near Biriguda under Boipariguda police limits, an operation was launched and spotted the Maoists around 10 pm in the night.
"There were around 50 to 60 Naxals and they were holding a meeting. Spotting our men they fired to which we retaliated. The exchange of fire took place around 10.30 pm and continued till the next 30 minutes," said a senior BSF official.

While coming across the crime spot, the security men recovered an Insas rifle and few other Maoist belongings.
Blood stains at the spot reveal that few of the Maoists have been injured in the firing. The recovery of an Insas rifle also suggests that some commander rank Maoist was present at the time of gun-battle and might have been killed during the exchange of fire. However, no body was recovered.
In a separate incident, Maoists damaged a mobile tower, belonging to a private cellular company, using explosives at Kalia Atal village under Boipariguda police limits on Tuesday night.
According to sources, a group of armed rebels reached near the tower around 8 pm and triggered the blast to destroy the mobile tower.

"There has been no report of any assault or casualty. We have launched an operation in the area," said police.