Top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, 5 others killed in gunfights in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Dec 25: Top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike was among six red rebels killed in gun battles with security forces in Odisha's Kandhamal district, police said on Thursday.

CPI(Maoist) central committee member Uike, who carried a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head, was the chief of the banned outfit in Odisha, a senior officer heading anti-Naxal operations in the state said.

Two Maoists from Chhattisgarh were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Gumma forest in Belghar police station area on Wednesday night.