A hardcore Naxal was gunned down during an encounter with security forces which took place in Kudhur forested region of restive Kondagaon district under Bastar region, police said here on Saturday.
According to police, security personnel from Narayanpur and Kondagaon along with Special Task Force (STF) personnel had launched a joint operation in Abhujmaad starting from Ranapal camp in Kilam-Tumdiwal-Kudhur axis.
“We had received information that Naxals were scheduled to hold a meet in Kudhur village under Mardapal police station limits -located in Kondagaon close to the Narayanpur district- where some villagers were supposed to be punished in their Jan Adalat” Superintendent of Police (SP) Narayanpur Abhishek Meena informed.
When the police party reached the village, Naxals surrounding the village opened fire. Police party retaliated in self-defence after which Naxals tried to flee taking cover behind women and children, he added.
later on, while searching the spot, body of a one male Maoist was recovered with one INSAS rifle, one 12 bore rifle, Radio set, some explosives and daily use items.
The pool of blood and a blood trail indicated that at least 2 more Naxals are seriously injured in the encounter, SP Meena claimed.
The killed Naxal was identified as Boti Kashyap resident of Kotmetapara of Kudhur and was Deputy Commander of Mundagaon lOS (local operating squad) of the Naxals, the SP said.
Additional parties have been sent to search the area and to find the Naxals involved in the encounter, he added.