Gadchiroli: In a major success for security forces, as many as four Maoist were killed in an exchange of fire that broke out between a joint team of security personnel and Naxals in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district.
The gun fight broke out near the Maharashtra- Chhattisgarh inter-state borders on August 27 leading to neutralisation of four hardcore Maoists.
The operation was launched following the police received credible intel about presence of Maoists from Gatta Dalam, Company no 10 and other units in Koparshi forest area near Narayanapur border on Monday.
Upon receiving information, a joint team of security forces, comprising personnel from Central Reserve Police Force [CRPF], police and C-60 commandos, a special counter-insurgency unit of the police was subsequently dispatched to the location.
The security team reached the targeted location amidst adverse weather condition due to torrential rains on Wednesday morning and came under heavy firing from Naxals. The joint team too retaliated heavily with intermittent exchange of fire continuing for around 7-8 hours.
After the gunfight stopped, the joint team carried out a thorough search in the area, recovering bodies of 4 Maoists including three women.
The security team also recovered a Semi Loading Rifle [SLR], two INSAS rifles and a .303 rifle from the site of the encounter. A search operation in the nearby areas is still underway.
Security forces have amped up anti-Maoist campaign across affected regions lately. The forces in the past 18 months have neutralised over 450 Maoists in separate operations launched across Naxal-hit areas.
The campaign against red terror has intensified after the Union Government announced a deadline to eradicate Maoist- insurgency from Bharat by March next year.
