21 Maoists killed in encounter at Andhra-Odisha border

Twenty-one Maoists were gunned down in an exchange of fire with the Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Police in Malkangiri forest area on the AP-Odisha border in the wee hours on Monday.

Police attacked the Maoist camp in the early hours of Monday, where a meeting was being held. Two Greyhounds personnel were also injured in the encounter.

The encounter took place at Jantri in Malkangiri district of Odisha, a few km away from the border with Andhra Pradesh.

Key Maoist leaders of the regiment have reportedly been killed and police have seized ammunition and weapons.

The injured constables were shifted for treatment to the King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam by helicopter, the police official added.

Police have recovered four AK-47 rifles from the scene of the encounter.

AP Director General of Police Nanduri Sambasiva Rao left for Visakhapatnam immediately upon receiving news of the encounter.

The DGP said combing operation was still continuing as there was information that there were some more Maoists roaming in the region.

(With agency inputs)