India, Jan. 21 -- Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday termed the encounter along Chhattisgarh-Odisha border where 14 Maoists, including a top leader of the CPI (Maoists) who was carrying a reward of Rs.1 crore were killed, as "another mighty blow to Naxalism".

The joint operation was carried out by central and state police forces.

Amit Shah asserted the Narendra Modi government's resolve for a Maoist-free India and the joint efforts of the security forces to eliminate the menace from the country.

Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district superintendent of police Nikhil Rakhecha said of the deceased, one has been identified as Jairam alias Chalpati, a central committee member of the CPI (Maoist), who was carrying a bounty of Rs.1 crore.

T...