Five Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were killed in an exchange of fire (EoF) with Security Forces (SFs) near the Madigamallu-Kondajartha forest area close to Gummarevula village in Gudem Kotha Veedhi Mandal (administrative sub-division) under Vizag Agency in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh near the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha Border (AOB) area on September 22, reports Times Now News. The exchange of fire took place when personnel of the elite anti-Maoist Greyhounds from Andhra Pradesh, and the Special Protection Force (SPF) came face to face with the Maoists during the combing operations in the agency area. Following the gunfight, bodies of five Maoists were recovered along with arms and kitbags from the encounter spot. There were no reports of any casualties on the Police side. The slain Maoists belonged to the Galikonda 'dalam' (armed squad) of the Maoists that operated on the AOB area, Visakhapatnam, Superintendent of Police (SP), Babujee Attada said. The identities of the slain Maoists are yet to be established.
The combing operations were being carried out in the region in view of the ongoing anniversary celebrations by the CPI-Maoist Formation Day. The banned outfit had announced anniversary celebrations from September 21 to 28.