Bhubaneswar, March 2 -- Odisha achieved a significant breakthrough in its anti-Naxal operations as Bolangir and Bargarh districts were declared Maoist-free following the surrender of 15 cadres in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

DGP Y. B. Khurania on Sunday announced that the two western Odisha districts have been freed from Maoist activities after members of the Bargarh-Bolangir-Mahasamund (BBM) division laid down arms in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh and joined the mainstream.

According to the DGP, the 15 Maoists who surrendered were active in the Bargarh-Bolangir-Mahasamund division. Following their surrender, Bolangir and Bargarh were declared completely Naxal-free.

He stated that the development marks a historic success in Odisha'...