By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 15, 2018: Odisha and Andhra Pradesh will jointly launch anti-Maoist operations to flush out the rebels from the state, Director General of Police R P Sharma said on Tuesday.

On his return from Visakhapatnam after a meeting with his counterpart in Andhra Pradesh, Sharma said the meeting laid emphasis on coordination between the two states during operations against Left Wing Extremists.

“We have decided at the meeting to undertake joint operations in Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border,” Sharma said.

Last year, the two states had jointly conducted a one-off operation against the Maoists in the cut off area of Malkangiri district, known to be a Maoist stronghold.

Sharma on Monday had told reporters that the Odisha police would intensify intelligence-based operations against the Maoists.

Sharma had said the state will also coordinate more closely with other states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to come down heavily on the Maoists.

He also said efforts are on to further strengthen the intelligence network in Koraput, Nuapada, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts where Maoists pose challange to the state government.

Two days back, the Odisha Police had gunned down at least seven Maoists in separate operations in Bolangir and Kandhamal districts.