Three Naxalites killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh

The face-off took place around 8 am on a hill between Bhomra-Hurtarai villages under the Koyalibeda police station area, where a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, Kanker Superintendent of Police Indira Kalyan Elesela said.

Bhopal: At least 3 Naxalites were killed and others injured in fierce encounter between security forces and Moist in Koyalibeda jungle in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district in the wee hours of Sunday. Police also recovered three guns, ammunition and other items of daily use from the spot.

The bodies of deceased Naxals were brought to district headquarters for post-mortem, identification etc. It’s a big morale boost and sigh of relief not only for security forces but also the state government which is working on a mission mode to get rid of the menace permanently.

SP Kanker Kalyan Elesela disclosed to DH that the 3 Naxalites gunned down by security forces belonged to the a group identified as ‘military company no-5’ which operates under the command of its leader Raju Salam. All 3 of them are under the age of 30 and were dressed in civil clothes.

Acting on an information, the joint team of local police, CRPF and DRG (District Reserve Guard) were rushed to search the area. The Naxalite engaged in gunfire with security force during combing operation around Koyaliebeda jungle under Pakhanjur tehsil, some 112 km from district headquarter and to the south of Kanker.

In defence, the retaliatory fire by security forces succeeded in neutralising 3 Naxalites on Sunday. The police have recovered 3 weapons and a large quantity of items of daily use from the spot. The bodies of the deceased were ferried to district headquarters for post-mortem and identification etc. However, the identity of the neutralised Maoist was still not confirmed till the time the report was filed.

According to the information, women Naxalites were also engaged in crossfire only to provide cover to the large contingent of Naxalites taking shelter there. Some were reportedly injured but they managed to flee the spot taking advantage of darkness, told sources.