Maoist operative carrying Rs 16 lakh reward killed in Chhattisgarh

Vilash aka Kailash was gunned down in an encounter in Bastar. The Maoist played a key-role in the Burkalpal ambush earlier this month in which 25 CRPF troopers were killed.

Chhattisgarh police gunned down a feared Maoist, Vilash aka Kailash, in an encounter in Bastar region on Sunday. The state government had announced a reward of Rs 16 lakh for Vilash’s capture.

Police recovered ammunition and other supplies from the encounter site. (HT Photo)

Vilash, who was from Chhota Dongar in Narayanpur district, had been active in Barsoor area of Bastar for more than a decade and was booked in 18 cases, police said.

Police engaged Vilash, who was the Barsoor area committee secretary of CPI(Maoist), in Patel Para hills under Burgum police station limits. Vilash had an AK-47 assault rifle, which was recovered near his body, police said.

Aarif H Sheikh, superintendent of police, Jagdalpur, said Maoists attacked a joint patrol party near the hills and this led to a fire exchange in which Vilash was killed. Police said Vilash, who was in his mid-30s, had played a key role in Burkalpal ambush in which Maoists gunned down 25 CRPF troopers earlier this month.