Five CPI (Maoist) members, including two women, were killed in an encounter with the special operations group in Poplur-Kurmanur forest range of Malkangiri district on Monday.
DGP Dr RP Sharma said that the identity of the Maoists is yet to be established.
RP Koche, IPS, who heads the anti-Naxal operations in the state informed that two units of the SOG had launched a combing operation based on actionable intelligence input on movement of armed Maoists in the forest area under Kalimela police station limits of Malkangiri district.
During the operation, there was exchange of fire between the armed CPI (Maoist) cadres and the security forces in the wee hours of Monday resulting in the deaths of the five hardcore Maoist cadres.
Two SLR rifles, 01 INSAS rifle, one .303 rifle, one grenade and other articles have been recovered from the spot.
It may be noted here that Malkangiri district in general and Kalimela PS area, in particular, are among the strongholds of the Maoists.