Maoist leader shot dead in Orissa

Self-styled Naxal commander Samir Thalko was today shot dead in an encounter with security forces inside Chandiposh forest area, about 65km from Rourkela, in Orissa's Sundergarh district.

A joint patrolling team of CRPF and SOG jawans during their combing operation spotted the Maoist cadre and an encounter took place in which he was killed.

Thalko was involved in the killing of Ajit Bardhan, sub-inspector of Koida police station two years ago. A 9 mm pistol and 30 rounds of live cartridges were found from his possession, the police said.

During the 'Bharat Bandh' called by the Naxalites, a strong group of armed Maoists had opened fire at a passenger train at Pattasahi near Chandiposh yesterday.