In a fierce gun battle between security forces and Maoists, one ultra was killed and two paramilitary jawans sustained gun-shot injuries at Chhednibera village under Kuchai police station of adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan on Monday afternoon.
The para-military forces have also recovered a rifle from the encounter site. The injured jawans from the 209 battalion of COBRA belonging to the CRPF have been identified as havildar Sunil Kumar and constable AK Sudesh.
Deputy inspector general (Kolhan) Arun Kumar Singh said that the encounter took place as two companies of CoBRA were engaged in an intensive anti-insurgency operation in naxal-infested Kuchai from last afternoon.
He said elaborate details about the encounter were being awaited however there was no casualty of any security force was received. He revealed the area has been sealed and a combing operation has been launched to flush out the Maoist guerrillas from the area.
"The operation had begun here from Sunday. The para-military forces were combing the area while carrying out the operation. As the forces were busing in combing operation, they were suddenly sprayed with bullets, leading them to run for the cover. Soon after, the paramilitary forces had retaliated by returning the fire," said Singh.
The senior police officer added that during the encounter, which lasted for one-and-half hours, over 1,500 rounds of shots were exchanged from the both sides. The para-military force found the body of the bullet-ridden rebel after the naxals fled the scene.
"The rebel was in uniform and a little distance away was lying an SlR which was suspected to belong the slain naxal," said Singh. In the last few days anti insurgency operation in Kolhan has been intensified following intelligence reports that suggest rebels are camping in the pockets. The administration has increased police patrolling on the bordering areas connecting to West Bengal and has also deployed adequate number of paramilitary personnel on areas potential to rebels attack.
Sources revealed that the police have kept a helicoptor ready at Kuchai and the moment the injured are brought from the jungle, they would be carried either to Tata Main Hospital or RIMS.