As per reports, a group comprising 20-30 Maoists torched a mobile tower in the area and left a poster opposing installation of mobile towers in the area. Following intense combing operation in Malkangiri district and forest areas on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border recently, the Maoists outfit stated strengthening its base in the southern district of Odisha. In another incident, there were reports of encounter between security forces and Maoists in Purnakote in Satkosia Tiger Reserve.