According to the Home Ministry, the additional force of paramilitary personnel would help the state government in controlling the situation which resulted after Maoist strikes in Nayagarh. The ongoing combing operations against the Naxals within the state was reviewed here on Wednesday by senior officials and heads of Paramilitary forces in a meeting presided by Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

IAF choppers are being used to track down Maoists in the forests of adjoining Ganjam district. The security forces are also being helped by sniffer dogs to reach the hideouts of the militants.

The “Greyhound” anti-naxal squad from Andhra Pradesh are assisting the personnel to hunt the attackers who shot dead 14 policemen and a civilian as well as looted armouries in Nayagarh on February 15 night.

Mr Patil had recently visited Chattisgarh to review the Maoist activities in the state with the chief minister and senior police officials.