A hardcore Naxal carrying a cash reward of `1 lakh on his head was gunned down after an exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists in a densely-forested patch of insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said here on Wednesday.
The gunbattle between a joint team of Special Task Force (STF) and district force and Naxals happened near Ponga Bhejji village when the police team was conducting an anti-Maoist operation under Dornapal police station limits, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sukma, Indira Kalyan Elesela said.
The police team had reached near Ponga Bhejji village when armed guerrillas opened fire on them to which police forces also retaliated, he informed.
After the intermittent gun battle lasting about an hour, Naxals fled away in the core jungle area, the SP said while adding that later on while searching the spot body of a male Naxal clad in Maoist uniform was recovered from the encounter area.
One automatic pistol and one muzzle loading gun were also found with the body, he added.
According to police, the deceased man was identified as Punem Podiya, a resident of Pongabheji village who was range RPC President of Naxal Kerlepal Area Committee.
Police said that he was a notorious Naxal and was involved in serious criminal offences like murder, attack on police party triggering blast and similar others.
As per the rules of state Government, he carried a reward of `1 lakh on his head, the SP stated.