"Additional forces have been deployed in Majhiguda forest and efforts are on to nab the Maoists," said Y K Jethwa, Inspector General of Police (south-western range).
During the encounter that took place on Wednesday, the rebels managed to escape under the cover of darkness, but blood trails suggested some rebels might have been injured in the gun-battle, Jethwa said.
Around 20 Maoists were present in the forest when a joint team of SOG personnel from Koraput and Malkangiri attacked and busted three of their camps, he said.
Sources said the Maoists had assembled under the leadership of one Rukmani of Boipariguda Area Committee to prepare a blueprint to attack various government establishments
and execute major offencive in the run-up to the 10th formation year of CPI (Maoist) on September 21.