Cuttack/Malkangiri : Twenty one naxals were killed amid a joint operation of the Odisha and Andhra Police in Bejjangi jungle in between Ramgurha and Panasaputa in the cut-off ranges of Malkangiri area in the wee hours on Monday.

Talking with journalists about the joint operation, Odisha DGP KB Singh said, hardcore Maoists Gajarla Ravi (Uday) carring a money prize of Rs 2 lakh, Chalapati and Ganesh are among 18 naxals killed amid the hour-long joint operation of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in the cut-off region of Malkangiri area.

The Andhra Pradesh Police personnel took a lead with participation from the Greyhounds, a special force of the neighbouring state, in the joint operation with the Odisha Police as the spot was in the cut-off area of Malkangiri.

Singh further stated, “The Odisha Police team approached the spot from the Andhra Pradesh side as it would have been difficult for us to reach the cut-off area from the Odisha side.”

Search operations are on in the area and more bodies of Maoists are likely to be recovered.