*20 Maoists dead, rest trapped* * http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/top-story/20-maoists-dead,-rest-trapped.aspx
* *By Rabindra Nath Choudhury and Akshaya Kumar Sahoo* Bhubaneswar, Feb. 17: A day after raiding police stations and armouries in Nayagarh town, the fleeing Maoists came face to face with the security personnel hunting them in the jungles of Ganjam and Kandhamal districts of Orissa on Sunday, leading to fierce gun battles between them. "At least 20 Maoists have been killed in the anti-Naxal operation so far. The encounter is still going on," said Orissa home secretary T.K. Mishra. Three jawans of the Special Operation Group (SOG) were killed in the operation, he added . Raids were also being conducted at possible hideouts in Orissa's Rayagada and Gajapati districts. Although security personnel have recovered the bodies of the slain commandos, not a single guerrilla's body could be seized as their colleagues carried them away deep into the forests. The guerrillas, who swooped down on three police stations, two district armouries, a police outpost and a police training school in Nayagarh late on Friday evening, killing 14 police personnel and one civilian, are holed up in the caves of Gasama hill near Gallery, in Ganjam district, and in Tikabali forest in Kandhamal district. The encounter started after the police blocked all escape routes available to the fleeing Naxalites. The SOG and CRPF have encircled Gasma hill and Tikabali forest. At least 600 security personnel, including CRPF jawans, state armed forces, 100 SOG personnel and as many Greyhound commandos, have been engaged in the encounter with the rebels. Additional director-general of police (intelligence) Manmohan Praharaj is leading the operation. Two special Indian Air Force helicopters have been assisting the security personnel in what is being considered the country's biggest ever operation against the Maoists. The Andhra Pradesh government has also sent two helicopters and specially trained fighters to join the operation to flush out the Maoists. Union special secretary (internal security) M.L Kumawat arrived in Nayagarh on Sunday afternoon and reviewed the operation against the guerrillas. According to unofficial sources, over 25 Naxalites may have been killed and three policemen are missing.
