TNI Bureau: Senior Maoist leader Ganesh Uike was among four Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, police officials said.

Uike, a central committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist), carried a bounty of ₹1.10 crore and was the top commander of the outfit in Odisha, a senior officer overseeing anti-Naxal operations in the state confirmed. The encounter took place in a forest area under Chakapad police station limits.

According to police, four Maoists were killed in the exchange of fire. One of them was identified as 69-year-old Ganesh Uike, who was known by several aliases, including Pakka Hanumantu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru and Rupa. He was a native of Pullemala village in Chendur mandal of Telangana’s Nalgonda district.

The identities of the remaining three Maoists, including two women, are yet to be established. Security forces are continuing search operations in the area, officials added.