Bhubaneswar, July 5 -- Kandhamal: At least four hardcore Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Kandhamal district on Sunday. The gunfight was reported between the jawans of Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the ultras at Shirla forest under Tumudibandha police limits in the district.

All the deceased ultras are the members of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI (Maoist). Three INSAS rifles and a country-made gun and other ammunition have been recovered, senior police officials said.

"There was an exchange of fire between Maoists and SOG, DVF at Tumudibandha, Kandhamal. Security forces were fired upon & they fired back in self defence. There are four ca...