Woman hurt in crossfire in battle between Maoists and security

KORAPUT: A tribal woman sustained bullet injury during a gunbattle between Maoists and security personnel in a forest in Koraput district, police said today.

"The woman was passing through the forest at the time of the gunbattle and got caught in the crossfire on Friday evening. Her condition is now stable. She is under treatment at Koraput hospital," SP Charan Singh Meena said.

According to police, a team of BSF while returning from a combing operation spotted a transit Maoist camp at Kadambo forest, bordering to Chhattisgarh.

"There were around 10 Maoists in the camp at the time of the firing. Seeing our men the Naxals fired to which we retaliated. The woman, who was passing through the forest at the time of exchange of fire, got injured. The firing continued, but the Maoists fled from the spot under the cover of darkness," the SP said.

While coming across the spot, the BSF men recovered some Maoist belongings, including medicines, uniform and explosive materials.

"We suspect a few injuries at the rebels camp as blood stains were found at the encounter site," the SP said.

Meanwhile, police intensified combing operation in the area bordering Chhattisgarh to flush out the Red rebels.

"We have deployed additional batches of security forces in the area to track down the Naxals. As the area is close to Chhattisgarh border, an influx of Maoists from the bordering state can't be ruled out. Police has been kept on high alert," he said.