Thursday, January 19 2006 14:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Sambalpur (Orissa): Security personnel engaged in combing operation exchanged fire with suspected Maoists for over an hour in the wee hours today (Jan 19, 2006) in the Gadapati forest under Charmal police station, about 50 km from here, police said.

No one, however, was injured nor was there any casualty in the exchange, the police said.

District police super S Debdutt Singh, who rushed to the spot after receiving information about the encounter, said police fired 115 rounds after spotting about 15 ultras, who also opened fire at the securitymen.

Grey Hound personnel, CRPF and Orissa state armed police jawans engaged in combing operation in the wee hours had come across a man who started running near Badmal village, he said.

As the police asked him to stop, he disappeared into the forest pursued by the securitymen.

When the security personnel turned their search lights in the forest they came across around 15 armed persons. They opened fire at the group, which was returned by the latter who gradually retreated into the dense woods, the SP said.

The security personnel seized two bags containing Maoist literature from the spot. The combing operation had been further intensified after the incident.