BHUBANESWAR \/ MALKANGIRI:<\/strong> According to senior security officials, the encounter took place in a dense forested region of southern Odisha, close to the Odisha\u2013Chhattisgarh border, during a coordinated anti-Naxal operation based on specific intelligence inputs. No casualties were reported among the security personnel, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ganesh Uike was a veteran Maoist leader with a long and violent history in the Naxalite movement. Security records indicate that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Uike was accused of masterminding and executing multiple deadly attacks on security forces, including ambushes, IED blasts, and targeted killings. He was also allegedly involved in extortion networks, arms procurement, and recruitment of tribal youth into the Maoist fold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given his operational importance and the threat he posed, central and state agencies had announced a combined reward of \u20b91.5 crore for information leading to his capture or elimination. Security officials described Uike\u2019s killing as a major blow to the Maoist movement in Odisha, particularly in the southern districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, and Rayagada. Analysts note that the encounter fits into a broader pattern of intensified anti-Naxal operations, with improved intelligence coordination between state police, CRPF, and specialised units such as CoBRA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Odisha Director General of Police praised the joint forces, calling the operation a significant success in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism. Senior CRPF officials echoed the sentiment, stating that the security forces remain committed to restoring peace and development in Maoist-affected areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Security forces have launched combing and search operations in nearby forest zones to track down any remaining Maoist cadres who may have escaped during the encounter. Authorities have also stepped up area domination and surveillance to prevent retaliatory attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The killing of Ganesh Uike marks one of the most significant counter-insurgency successes in Odisha in recent years, reinforcing the government\u2019s claim that Maoist influence in the region is steadily shrinking.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BHUBANESWAR \/ MALKANGIRI:Ganesh Uike, one of Odisha\u2019s most wanted Maoist leaders and a senior commander of the banned CPI (Maoist), was killed in an encounter with a joint force of Odisha Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday. Uike was carrying a cash reward of \u20b91.5 crore on his head, making him…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7326,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-odisha"],"yoast_head":"\n
Ganesh Uike, one of Odisha\u2019s most wanted Maoist leaders and a senior commander of the banned CPI (Maoist), was killed in an encounter with a joint force of Odisha Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday. Uike was carrying a cash reward of \u20b91.5 crore on his head, making him among the highest-bounty Naxalite leaders operating in eastern India.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Encounter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As security forces moved in to cordon off the area, Maoists opened fire, prompting retaliatory action. In the ensuing gun battle, Ganesh Uike was fatally shot. Weapons, ammunition, and Maoist literature were recovered from the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWho Was Ganesh Uike?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u20b91.5 Crore Reward and Criminal Cases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
He was wanted in dozens of cases, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Strategic Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe was a key strategist and field commander. His elimination will severely disrupt Maoist operational capabilities in the region,\u201d a senior officer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOfficial Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Continuing Operations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n