Maoist Leader Ganesh Uike Carrying Rs 1.1 Cr Bounty Killed In Encounter In Odisha

A senior Maoist leader carrying a bounty of ₹1.1 crore was killed in Odisha on Thursday during a fierce encounter with security forces. Ganesh Uike, a central committee member of the CPI(Maoist) and the head of the banned outfit in Odisha, was among four rebels shot dead in Kandhamal district, according to police.

The gun battle broke out in the forests under Chakapad police station limits after a joint operation was launched based on intelligence inputs from the Special Intelligence Wing. The operation involved 23 teams, including personnel from the Special Operations Group, CRPF and BSF, according to a report in PTI.

Multiple exchanges of fire took place before the bodies of four Maoists-two men and two women-were recovered. Security forces also seized two INSAS rifles and a .303 rifle from the site.

Police identified one of the deceased as 69-year-old Uike, also known by several aliases including Pakka Hanumantu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru and Rupa. He hailed from Pullemala village in Telangana's Nalgonda district. Preliminary identification suggested that two others killed were Bari alias Rakesh, an Area Committee Member from Rayagada under the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagavali division, and Amrit, associated with the supply Dalam from Bijapur. Their identities, however, are yet to be officially confirmed.

Authorities described the operation as a significant success against Maoist activities in Odisha, given Uike's stature as a central committee member and his leadership role in the insurgency.