Maoist leader killed in Orissa gunfight
By IANSTuesday, February 8, 2011
BHUBANESWAR - A Maoist was killed in a gunfight in a forested area near the steel city of Rourkela in Orissa Tuesday, police said.
Samir Khalko, area commander of the Communist Party of India-Maoist, was killed by police and paramilitary forces in Sundergarh district, Superintendent of Police Diptesh Patnaik told IANS.
The gunbattle took place when a joint team of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were combing the Chadiposh area, about 575 km from Orissa capital Bhubaneswar, on a tip-off.
The team retaliated after the rebels first opened fire, he said. But no policeman was hurt.
A pistol and about 25 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from his possession, he said.
Khalko was involved in several crimes, including the killing of a police officer in the area a few years ago, Patnaik said.
