Malkangiri: A gunfight took place between Maoists and a joint team of security personnel belonging to the Special Operations Group of Odisha and the Grey Hound of Andhra Pradesh in the "cut-off" area of the district on Monday morning.

However, the police said there was no report of any casualty from both sides till late evening and the search operation was on.

The police said an operation was launched in the area on Sunday evening based on intelligence inputs that a group of Maoists were camping in a forested area near Jodambo. "Our men spotted a big Maoist camp on Monday morning. However, seeing our men the rebels started firing, to which we had to retaliate. The exchange of fire, which started around 10am, continued for the next one hour," said Malkangiri superintendent of police Jagmohan Meena.

Meena said there were around 50 Maoists, including some leaders, at the camp at the time of firing. "Specifically, we can't divulge as which Maoist leader was present at the camp, but there were a few Maoist leaders. Unable to face heavy firing from our side, the Maoists fled the spot," Meena said.

While coming across the spot, the security personnel recovered huge quantities of Maoist belongings, including arms and explosives. "Till evening, we had not spotted any body. But, blood trails at the spot suggests a few injuries at the rebels' camp," he said.

The police said it would take about 48 hours for the force to return to the headquarters.

The police have intensified its operations in the cut-off area with deployment of additional forces.