Phulbani: A militiaman was detained while firearms and other articles were seized during an exchange of fire between the Maoists and security forces December 17 evening near Bireni village under Gochhapada police limits in Kandhamal district, police said Sunday.
The militiaman was detained during the exchange of fire while the ultras taking advantage of the dense forest managed to escape.
He has been taken for interrogation to examine his involvement in violence and insurgency activities in the region.
Two country-made guns, a radio set, medicines, clothes, ration and other articles were seized from the place after the ultras escaped.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that over 10-12 Maoists were present at the spot when the encounter took place, said Kandhamal SP Vinit Agarwal at a press conference held at the district police headquarters here, Sunday.
The SP said that a joint combing operation comprising the jawans of Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) was launched in the area following a tip-off, December 15.
The jawans were scanning the area when the ultras started firing at them near the Bireni village, December 17.
PNN