Encounter between Maoists and police on in Chhattisgarh

Security forces today launched a major operation at a Naxal hideout in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district where heavily-armed Maoists fired at them but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

There was a fierce exchange of fire in the operation which started around noon and was continuing till late in the afternoon.

"A massive encounter is going on. A team of 75 police personnel had gone into the area in pursuit of a Naxal commander and his associates," Chhattisgarh police chief Vishwaranjan said.

Additional CRPF reinforcements have been rushed to the encounter site, sources in the paramilitary force said.

The incident took place under the Kirandul police station area in the district when a joint team of STF, district police force and Koya Commandos had gone for patrolling.

On April 6, 75 CRPF personnel and a state policeman were killed in Dantewada after over 100 Naxals ambushed the patrol party and looted weapons.

In another incident on June 29, a large number of heavily-armed Maoists, perched on a hilltop, had opened fire with automatic weapons on a 63-member security contingent which was returning on foot from road opening duty, killing 26 CRPF personnel in Narayanpur district. The dead included a CRPF assistant commandant Jatin Gulati.