Eight Maoist guerillas were killed in two separate encounters with the security forces in Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh during the early hours of Friday.
Seven rebels were gunned down by Dantewada police and Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kakeri-Nahari forest between Aranpur and Jagargunda at Dantewada about 550 km south of Raipur. In another encounter near Hungwa forest terrain, the Special Task Force (STF) killed one Maoist during the wee hours of Friday.
Dantewada superintendent of police Amresh Mishra told Hindustan Times the police had recovered seven bodies but more rebels are believed to have been killed during the encounter by the cops.
"The red ultras ambushed the security forces, which was on search operation inside the thick forested area. The attack was swiftly retaliated by the cops killing seven rebels", the SP said. However, there is no report of any injury or casualty suffered by the police in either of the encounters. After the encounter the extremists took away the bodies and their injured colleagues as they fled from the area, the police claimed.
The Bastar Superintendent of Police P Sunder Raj told HT that on a tip off on some secret meeting and camp of the guerillas being held near Hungawa forest area about 380 km south of Raipur, the STF and district police rushed to the area resulting in a fierce gunfight. One ultra was shot dead.
Arms and ammunitions were also recovered from the encounter sites, the police informed including 303 rifles, 2 muzzle loading guns, 1 grenade, 3 Improvised Explosive Device (IED), bows and arrows and banners.
{{/usCountry}}Arms and ammunitions were also recovered from the encounter sites, the police informed including 303 rifles, 2 muzzle loading guns, 1 grenade, 3 Improvised Explosive Device (IED), bows and arrows and banners.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the security forces with extra caution have moved inside the deep forested stretch searching for more ultras as it is feared that the rebels might hit back. "Our men are on high alert and prepared to take on any eventuality", said Mishra. The forces are on their extensive searching and patrolling as part of their ongoing operation against the Maoists.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Pawan Deo informed that so far the security forces have killed 102 Maoist rebels in 2009.