Five Maoists arrested

Five hardcore Maoists, wanted in connection with several attacks including a landmine blast, were arrested in Rayagada district in Orissa, police said.

Five hardcore Maoists, wanted in connection with several attacks including a landmine blast, were arrested in Rayagada district in Orissa on Tuesday, police said.

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The arrest was made from a hideout during a joint combing operation by a team of CRPF and Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) at Srirampur village in neighbouring Rayagada district, the police said.

The ultras were wanted in connection with a number of offences, including a landmine blast at Gunupur area of Rayagada district in 2002 in which six CRPF personnel were killed, the police said.

The Maoists, believed to be from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, were identified as Kudingi Ganapathi, P Venkataraman, P Chiranjivi, P Gouri and Beda Chalapati, they said.