Five Maoists killed in encounter in Odisha: DGP
Malkangiri (Odisha), Nov 5 : At least five Maoists, including a woman, were gunned down in an exchange of fire with security personnel in a forest in Malkangiri district Monday, a senior police official said.
The gun battle took place near Paplur area under the jurisdiction of the Kalimela police station when Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel were conducting a combing operation, Director General of Police (DGP), R P Sharma said.
He said the five Maoists were killed in the encounter and the casualty could be more as search operation in the area was still in progress. No security personnel was injured in the operation.
The security personnel recovered two INSAS rifles, one SLR, one 303 rifle and a hand grenade from the spot, the DGP said.
Additional Director General of Police (Operations) R P Koche said efforts were on to track other rebels who ran away from the area during the gun battle.
Two teams of SOG have been conducting a combing operation since Sunday and they spotted a group of Maoists in the jungle. After noticing the security personnel, the Maoists fired and the SOG jawans retaliated leading to the encounter, police said.
It is suspected that Maoist leader 'Randev', who was present at the spot, escaped from the area, they said.
The DGP said efforts were on to ascertain the identity of the deceased rebels.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
