A hardcore Naxalite wanted in 19 criminal cases and carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh was gunned down by the police in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh, authorities said on Tuesday.
The shooting took place on July 25-26 night between the Maoists and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) in a forest surrounding Jabrametta, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tiwari said.
The Naxalites targeted security personnel on a search operation in a forest patch, prompting the DRG to retaliate, the officer said.
After the rebels fled into the forest taking advantage of the darkness, a search of the area led to the body of Budhram Markam, a member of the Katekalyan area committee of the outlawed movement.
As many as 19 cases were registered against Markam and he carried a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, Tiwari said.