Maoists on Thursday shot dead a former Janpad Panchayat member in Naxal-infested Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, police said.
The victim has been identified as Uika lakhma (45) who was shot dead by insurgents, said police, adding that the incident took place under limits of Jagargunda police station during afternoon hours.
According to the police, the 45-year-old former Janpad Panchayat member was shot dead by ultras when he was on his way home from his farm. As of now, the motive behind the killing of lakhma remains unknown.
After being informed about the incident, a strong contingent of security forces rushed to the village to undertake investigation at the crime scene and sent the body for autopsy, added police.
In wake of the incident, police have launched an operation to nab assailants and also intensified anti-Naxal exercises to check incidents in the region, said police.