A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre was shot dead in an exchange of fire with Security Forces (SFs) in Sagada forest area in Kalahandi District on November 7, reports Orissa Post. According to a source, the Police were tipped-off that the Maoists were camping in Sagada forest. Swinging into action, Special Operations Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) personnel launched a combing operation, and seeing the SF personnel marching towards them, the Maoists opened fire. In retaliation, the SFs too opened fire. While there were no reports of casualties among the SFs, a Maoist was gunned down in the shootout, whose identity is yet to be established. The ultras taking advantage of dense forest changed their location, and the Police are learnt to have recovered several articles from the spot of encounter.