In another blow to Maoists, security forces on Tuesday gunned down as many as 10 Naxalites, including three women, in a forest along the borders of Narayanpur and Kanker districts in Chhattisgarh.
This is the second major strike on Naxalites by security forces in 15 days. On April 16, 29 Naxalites were gunned down in Kanker district.
The latest gunfight took place at around 6 am in the forest between Tekmeta and Kakur villages in Abhujmad area, considered a stronghold of Naxalites, involving the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF), Inspector general of Police Bastar (Range) Sundarraj P said.
The operation was launched on Monday based on inputs about the presence of armed Maoists in the area.
After the exchange of fire, the bodies of 10 Naxalites were recovered from the spot.
An AK-47 rifle and cache of other weapons and explosives were also seized from the spot.
The identity of the deceased Maoists were yet to be ascertained.
With this incident, 91 Maoists have been killed this year by security forces in Bastar region, according to the police.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai greeted security personnel for killing the Maoists.
