Top Maoist Ganesh Uike Among 5 Killed in Odisha Encounters

• Five Maoists, including top leader Ganesh Uike (1 crore bounty), killed in a two-day anti-Maoist operation in Odisha's Kandhamal district.
• Encounters occurred in Gumma forest area (Dec 24, 2 Maoists) and Narig Jhola forest area (Dec 25, 3 Maoists).
• Ganesh Uike was a Central Committee member and head of Maoist operations in Odisha; Bari alias Rakesh and Amrit from Chhattisgarh were also identified among the killed.
• Joint operation by SOG, CRPF, and BSF teams, acting on specific intelligence from the Special Intelligence Wing (SIW).
• Security forces recovered weapons; no casualties on their side. Devuji is now believed to be the only major Maoist leader active in the area.

Why It Matters: Odisha security forces neutralized 5 Maoists, including top leader Ganesh Uike, in a major operation.