Encounter on Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border

Encounter between police and Naxalites on Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, firing continued for six hours; 12 Naxalites killed

At least 12 Naxalites were killed and two security personnel were injured in an encounter between police and commandos with Naxalites in an area bordering Chhattisgarh in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra on Wednesday. Officials gave this information. Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Niloptal said that there was heavy firing between C60 commandos and Naxalites in Vandoli village in the afternoon and the encounter lasted for about six hours.

He said that the police have recovered the bodies of 12 Naxalites from the encounter site. Apart from this, seven automatic weapons including three AK47, two INSAS rifles, carbines and SLRs were seized. Niloptal said that one of the killed Naxalites has been identified as ‘Divisional Committee Member’ (DVCM) Laxman Atram alias Vishal Atram, who was in charge of Tipagad Dalam in the banned organization. Niloptal said that Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a reward of Rs 51 lakh to the C60 commando team and Gadchiroli police for this success.

The officer said that efforts are being made to identify the killed Naxalites.
The Superintendent of Police said, “The injured include a sub-inspector and a jawan of C60. They are out of danger, they have been evacuated from the spot and sent to Nagpur.”