Bhubaneswar, March 25 -- Following the surrender of Maoist operative Sukru, Additional Director General (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda stated on Wednesday that the fight against ultras has reached a decisive phase. This was the result of the martyrdom of 239 policemen in the State.

The ADG revealed that at least 239 police personnel have lost their lives in the long-running anti-Naxal operations in Odisha, emphasising that their sacrifices have brought the mission to its current stage.

ADG Panda noted that only 8 to 9 Maoists remain active in Kandhamal district, with just one belonging to Odisha and the others from Chhattisgarh. He has also asserted that no major Maoist leaders are currently hiding in Odisha forests.

With the de...