Bhubaneswar, March 1 -- In a significant development in the anti-Maoist operations in eastern India, fifteen Maoists belonging to the Odisha cadre surrendered in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Among those who laid down arms is senior Maoist leader Sudarshan, who carried a bounty of Rs 65 lakh on his head.

The development has drawn attention in both Odisha and Chhattisgarh, particularly as the group had been active in the Gandhamardan region spanning Bolangir and Boudh districts of Odisha.

Following the surrender, security forces seized a cache of arms and ammunition, including three AK-47 rifles, two INSAS rifles, and two SLR rifles.

Sudarshan and other members of the Bansadhara-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) division state committee formally la...