After a lull of four years, Maoists today struck in Orissa's Sambalpur district engaging security forces in an hour-long fierce gunbattle in the forests near Tamparasinga.

According to police, a team comprising CRPF and the elite anti-Naxal SOG personnel of Orissa were conducting combing operations in the forests when they were fired upon by the ultras near Kuilijharan around 7 AM.

The security men retaliated and the gun-battle continued for over an hour. The ultras are believed to have retreated into the woods. Police said, no security personnel was injured in the incident. Casualties in the ranks of the rebels were not known.

Meanwhile, police personnel engaged in anti-Maoists operation in the district have been mobilised in the area and Superintendent of Police Nikhil Kanodia was camping at the nearby police station at Kisinda to supervise the operation.