An exchange of fire took place between Security Forces (SFs) and Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres in a dense forest near Raighara village under Gochhada Police Station limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha, on March 29, reports Outlook. No casualty was reported from either side in the gun-battle. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) of Kandhamal launched an operation. When the Maoists noticed the SFs, they started firing at the personnel who asked them to surrender. As the ultras did not pay heed to the order, personnel of the joint team returned the fire forcing the rebels to retreat leaving behind their belongings. Articles such as a 12-volt battery, flexible wire and some raw food materials were recovered from the spot.