Maoist killed in Keonjhar

A Maoist leader was shot in a gun battle with police in Keonjhar district of Orissa on Saturday The gun battle took place after the Keonjhar-Jajpur District Voluntary Force (DVF) carried out a combing operation in Sapua forest of Keonjhar on a tip off. Police officials said Sunil alias Rahul, who was killed, was second in command of the Maoists in Kalinga Nagar division. In recent years, the ultras have stepped up their efforts against the government, targeting and damaging democratic and civil institutions such as schools, medical centers and government properties.