Bhubaneswar, Nov. 17: The borders of Kandhamal, Ganjam and Gajapati districts were sealed and a surveillance helicopter was reportedly pressed into service as security forces today intensified their operation against top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda.

Sources said around 500 jawans of the CRPF, Special Operations Group and District Voluntary Force had encircled the forests on Kandhamal-Ganjam-Gajapati border to cut off the exit routes of Panda, who had managed to escape when the security forces attacked one of his camps in the Baliguda forests on Wednesday. His five associates were killed in the encounter that followed.

Describing the operation against Sabyasachi as one of the biggest in the history of the state, senior police officials said the rebel leader, who, following his expulsion from the CPI(Maoist), floated the Odisha Maobadi Party, was trapped within a small, forested area on the borders of the three districts. “He has very few men left with him and we hope to arrest him anytime now,” said an officer.

The deputy inspector-general of police (southern range), R.K. Sharma, said the operation against the rebel chief had been intensified and combing operation was on. Sources said that apart from senior police officials, a high-ranking CRPF officer had also visited Mohana in Gajapati district to chalk out the strategy to arrest Panda, whose sketches were released by the Gajapati police today with announcement of rewards for any information on him.

Although police officials refused to confirm the use of helicopters, reliable sources said a chopper was indeed assisting the search operation. A close watch is also being kept on hospitals in Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal as the rebel chief, who is believed to have sustained injuries in the Wednesday’s encounter, might land up at one of these facilities.

The noose around Sabyasachi’s neck might be tightening, as police have already released the sketches of six of his close associates and are trying to cut off supplies to him in his jungle hideouts. His wife, Milli Panda and a group of Gandhians are still making efforts to ensure his return to the mainstream.