The four jawans of Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) who were abducted by a group of armed Maoists in Malkangiri on Friday were released on Saturday afternoon. 

The four returned to their camp at Janbai safely at around noon, Malkangiri district Superintendent of Police Satyabrata Bhoi said. 

The jawans were returning from Chitrakonda market to their camp at Janbai under Papermetla police station area, about 80 km from district head quarter, on Friday evening when the Maoists abducted them, Bhoi, said. 

Following the incident, combing operation and patrolling by security forces have been intensified in the entire area, which border Andhra Pradesh, to track down the ultras, police said. 

The Maoists are observing People's Liberation Week from December 2 as part of their campaign to garner people's support and mount offensive against the security forces.