A trooper of the Special Operations Group (SOG) sustained minor injuries during an exchange of fire between the security personnel and the cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) at the Budhanai Reserve Forest area under the Tumudibandha Police Station limits in Kandhamal District on May 24, reports The Times of India. Acting on intelligence inputs, personnel of the SOG carried out an operation in the area since May 23 night, the Police said. They came upon a Maoist camp in the forest where a group of 30 to 40 rebels started firing on the forces, ensuing an exchange of fire between the SOG and the Maoists for around half an hour. Superintendent of Police (SP) Subhendu Patra said some of the rebels may have been injured following the exchange of fire as security personnel found bloodstains near the spot. After the encounter, several items belonging to the Maoists, including firearms, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and detonators have been seized, after the Maoists fled from the encounter spot, the SP said.