At least 18 Maoists killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: At least 18 Maoists were killed in a major

encounter

with security forces in deep forests of

Kanker

district of Bastar region on Tuesday noon. Three security personnel of Border Security Force and District Reserve Guards sustained bullet injuries in the encounter and evacuation process was underway. The exact number of those killed will be surfaced later while reliable sources in security forces said bodies of 18 Maoists were recovered.
They said that more than ten automatic weapons including seven AK 47, 303 and light machine guns were also seized from the spot of encounter.

Officials said that seven-eight Maoists were arrested too.
This is one of the biggest killings in an operation in Bastar.
Speaking to TOI, Kanker superintendent of police Kalyan Elesela confirmed that ten Maoists were neutralized in an encounter and the number of killed was increasing.

“The encounter broke out between Naxalites and security forces in forests south of Chotebethiya in Binagunda and Koronar on the periphery of Abujhmadh. Troops of DRG and BSF went out on search operation based on input about presence of senior Naxal leaders. Bodies of ten Naxalites were recovered along with weapons. Our three security men were injured and were being evacuated.”
Choppers had flown to the spot to airlift the injured jawans but had to return due to landing problems. Another chopper equipped with night landing was sent to airlift the injured jawans. They were being given primary treatment inside the forest for a while, officials said.

The incident took place about 180 kilometers from district headquarters and around 200 BSF and DRG personnel went out for operations. There was specific input about presence of senior cadres of divisional committee rank including Lalitha, Shankar, Rajman and one more.
The identity of killed Maoists is pending and police are hoping for a big catch among those deceased.
The latest killing ranges upto 72 Naxalites killed in past four months, which is much higher than the number of Maoists killed last year.