Suspected Naxal killed in exchange of fire

A suspected Maoist was on Wednesday killed in an exchange of fire wityh Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) near Cheru forest area on Dakshina Kannada-Hassan district border.

A suspected member of a militant organisation, 'Netravati Dal' was killed in the gun battle, which followed after three to five Maoists fired at ANF personnel combing the area, ANF Chief Alok Kumar told reporters at Bisle in Dakshina Kannada district.

A similar exchange of fire took place on September 2, Kumar said.

Thirty five ANF personnel divided into two teams fired at the Maoists suspected to be from either Tamil Nadu or Kerala, he said. "Soon the Maoists retreated and fled carrying the body of the victim, but left it after travelling some distance."

He said some villagers had observed movement of Maoists near Halligadde village at the foothills of Western Ghats in Dakshina Kannada and Hassan districts on August 30 and 31 and had camped for two days in the area. Acting on a tip off, ANF personnel began combing operations, he said.