The Chhattisgarh police claimed to have succeeded in gunning down three Maoist insurgents, including Gangalur divisional committee commander Masa, on Thursday. In post-operation search, police recovered body of an insurgent, along with arms, ammunition, explosives as well as daily use items. The Maoists succeeded in carrying back bodies of two slain ultras.
According to Bijapur Assistant Superintendent of Police (Naxal Operations) Ashok Singh, after getting the information that Gangalur divisional commander Mas was camping in the jungles of Karcholi along with his accomplices with a view to execute some major operation in the area, a combined team of district police and Special task Force was sent to the area to conduct search operation.
After reaching the area, the team started encircling the area carefully. However, after smelling the presence of police jawans, the Maoists started firing on the team leading to an hour-long gun fight between the two sides after which the rebels retreated in to the deep jungle taking cover of hilly terrain.