Security forces gunned down a hard-core Naxal during search operation carried out in the jungles of Gundipur under Bijapur police station, Superintendent of Police, Bijapur, Prashant Agrawal said on Saturday.
According to the police officer, in view of the upcoming general elections the security forces had launched a special anti-Naxal operation in the insurgency-hit district on March 20.
Jawans passing through Santoshpur, Cherkanti, Kadenar, Padampur, Mosla, Paddejora reached in the jungles of Gundipur. On March 22, while the janwas were carrying out searching in the forest patch of Gundipur, about 25 km from Bijapur, they had a face-off with ultras following which both the sides engaged in gun battle which lasted more than one hour, the SP said. He said the police force continued the gun battle and the Naxals disappeared in the jungles.
Following the gun-fight, a search was conducted in the area where the body of a man in Naxal outfit was found. He was later identified as Naimed Janmilitia platoon commander Sannu alias Badru, resident of Burji under Gangaloor police station. A 303 rifle, live bullets and bullet shells were also recovered from the spot.
Meanwhile, DSP (operation) Sukhnandan Rathore said that the Bijapur police had declared cash reward of Rs 10,000 on his arrest. The deceased was involved in serious criminal offences like murder and cases in this connection have been registered in Bijapur and Gangaloor police stations, the DSP claimed.