nSecurity forces gunned down four hardcore Naxals, including three women, during an encounter that happened in a forested patch of insurgency-hit Dhamtari district, police said on Saturday.
“A joint team of STF (Special Task Force) and district police from Mechka police station of Dhamtari district had launched an anti-Naxal operation. Around 6 am the security forces had a faceoff with armed Maoists in the jungles of Sendbahra which resulted in heavy gun fight,” Director General of Police DM Awasthi told reporters.
After the guns went silent, bodies of four Naxals were found at the skirmish spot. They all were hardcore Naxals who carried cash rewards on their head, the DGP informed.
According to police, the deceased persons were identified as Pramila alias Rajula. She was Maoist areas committee member (ACM) of Sitanadi area committee and carried reward of Rs 5 lakh on her head.
Maoist Nagri area committee ACM Raju carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh, Durga alias Manjula and Munni alias Rashmi both Gobra LOS (Local organizing squad) members carrying rewards of Rs 1 lakh each on their heads were killed in the action, police said.
While searching the area, one 303 rifle, one country made gun, five 12 bore guns and Naxal literatures were also found at the spot.
The DGP further informed that so far 34 Naxals were killed in different actions this year. During this period 160 Maoists had surrendered while 224 were arrested.