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Odisha: 5 Maoists, including key leader, killed in encounter
25 Dec 2025

Five Maoists, including a key leader named Ganesh Uike, who carried a reward of ₹1.1 crore, were gunned down in a major anti-Maoist operation in Odisha's Kandhamal district.

The two-day combing exercise on Wednesday and Thursday was conducted by a joint force of Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Border Security Force (BSF) teams.

The operation, which covered multiple locations, was initiated after receiving specific inputs from the Special Intelligence Wing (SIW).

Maoists killed in Gumma, Narig Jholla forests
Operation specifics

On Wednesday, two Maoists were killed in an encounter in the Gumma forest area under the Belghar Police Station limits.

The next day, three more were neutralized during another encounter in Narig Jholla forest area under the Chakapad Police Station jurisdiction.

Moreover, security forces have reportedly recovered four bodies (two men and two women) so far, along with two INSAS rifles and one .303 rifle.

More about Maoist leader Uike
Top leader dead

Officials said Telugu Maoist commander Uike, a CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member and head of its operations in Odisha, was among those gunned down.

However, the identities of the other slain Maoists are yet to be established, said reports.

Officials said further search operations are underway, adding that Devuji is believed to be the only remaining key Maoist leader active in the region.