Maoist leader Killed in Gun Battle

Koraput, Aug 21 (ANI): Security forces killed a rebel leader during gun battle in the Maoist hotbed of Koraput district of Odisha. The rebel identified as Teli Kadraka alias Rajendra, was shot dead during the rounds of fire exchanged between the Maoists and the troopers of Special Operation Group (SOG) and in the Badamatura forest area of the district. Addressing a news conference, Avinash Kumar, a senior police official said that a search and cordon operation was launched on the tip off from informants about the Maoist movements. Latest string of attacks by ultras, including repeated strikes and ambushes targeting security personnel deployed in the insurgency affected areas, had led to fears that security forces are not well prepared to deal with the threat. But, recent crackdowns in rebel dominated areas across the nation have raised hopes that the government is winning the battle against the Maoists.