Woman Maoist leader killed in encounter with police in Odisha's Kalahandi 

The Maoist leader was killed in a police encounter following a tip-off. Police say they have recovered lie ammunition, Maoist literature and "incriminating" camp material.

A woman Maoist leader was killed in an encounter with the police in Odisha, officials said on Friday. The encounter took place in the state's Kalahandi district. In a statement, the Odisha Police said they received a tip-off on April 22 about the Maoist leader, and they launched an anti-Maoist operation the next day in M Rampur police station area of Kalahandi district bordering Kandamal. "On April 23 forenoon, the police team comprising SOG and DVF came under heavy firing of Maoists. In order to protect themselves having left with no other option, police took safe position and fire back in self-defence," the statement said, adding that the Maoists also used IED against the police team.