Two naxals killed in encounter with security forces

Two naxals were killed while another was arrested after a fierce gunbattle with security personnel in Maoist-hit Sukma district of south Chhattisagrh today, police said. "The face off between the ultras and the joint group of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) battalion and district force took place in the forests of Jagargunda police station limits this evening," Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police Neeraj Chandrakar told PTI over phone.

According to the officer, CoBRA 201 battalion, a specialised unit of Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) and a team of local police had been conducting anti-naxal operations in the interior parts of the Jagargunda forest located over 450 kms away from state capital Raipur. On sensing the police team in the restive region, rebels opened indiscriminate fire on the team following which they retaliated, leaving two naxals dead. Following the heavy encounter, ultras fled into the jungle.

However, one of them was arrested while trying to flee from the spot, he said. Later, security forces recovered the bodies of two rebels and an Insas rifle, two 12 bore guns from the encounter spot, he said. Further details are awaited as security forces have not reached to their camp, he said.

Soon after the encounter additional forces were rushed to the spot, he added.