Raid on Maoists: Technical snag hits copter sent for Andhra Pradesh cops

Hyderabad: A copter that went to airlift Greyhounds teams who took part in Monday’s raid on Maoists near Balimela in Malkangiri, Odisha, has developed a technical snag.

The commandos and reinforcements that had camped for three days as part of area domination exercise and to recover the bodies of Maoists were supposed to be flown out of the spot. They were stressed out as they had walked around 28 km to the encounter site.

Maoists are suspected to be moving in the area, and other Grey-hounds teams and special parties were on combing patrols. A senior police officer said, “We can't leave the copter there as the Maoists may burn it. We were told that the snag had been rectified and that the copter would be flying.”