Police kills two naxals in Sukma district

Two Naxals were on Wednesday killed in a gun battle between security forces and the ultras in the insurgency-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, police said.

A team comprising about 90 personnel, led by District Reserve Group (DRG) Commander Mudiraj and Sub-Inspector Amit Padamshali, had launched anti-Naxal operations in the interior region of Maraiguda, about 500 km from here, Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) D Shrawan said.

They were on lookout for Maoists since the death of Assistant Constable Madkam Joga in a pressure mine blast on Monday, he said. The encounter took place this morning near Kanaiguda village in which two ultras were killed, the SP said.

After prolonged exchange of fire, the ultras fled. Two country-made muzzle loading guns, 150-metre wire, detonators, battery and other articles were recovered from the spot, Shrawan said.

The deceased were identified as Tati Sukka (28), a Gangler village RPC (Revolutionary People's Council) member, and Podiyami Deva (32), an RPC militia head, he added. With this, the total number of Maoists killed in police encounter in Bastar this year reached 53, police said.