A hardcore Maoist carrying cash reward of `5 lakh was gunned down in an encounter with security
forces that occurred in the insurgency-hit Dantewada district, police sources said here on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in a forested patch about 16 km south of Dantewada district headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, Superintendent of Police (SP), Dantewada, Kamlochan Kashyap informed.
“Acting on specific intelligence input provided by State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) regarding presence of Maoists in Faraspal Police station limits, a team of District Reserve Group (DRG) swung into action and reached near Kespur village,” Kashyap said.
According to the SP, after spotting the police team, Maoist opened fire and both sides were then engaged in gun battle. Following intermittent firing that lasted for over an hour, the Maoists retreated into core jungle area. While searching the spot, body of a rebel was recovered who was identified as Podia and was Ssection Commander of Naxal platoon number 13.
Podia was also In-charge of Maoists small action team active in Dantewada. A 303 bore rifle with 9 live rounds and a 315 bore country-made pistol with 6 live rounds were recovered from the spot, he said.