Policeman, Naxalite killed in encounter in West Bengal

A policeman and a Naxalite were killed during an encounter near Kalaboni jungle in West Bengal's West Midnapore district today.

Security forces comprising a joint team of CRPF and state police have recovered the body of a Naxal after the gunfight that lasted for more than seven hours, a senior officer said. A state policeman was martyred in the encounter.

Following a tip-off about a Maoist squad hiding in Ghrito Kham area near Kalaboni jungles, the joint forces surrounded the area and launched an operation last night, Superintendent of Police Praveen Tripathy said.

As the forces, comprising Specially Trained Armed Company (STRACO) jawans, moved towards the area this morning, a fierce gun battle broke out between them and the ultras leading to the death of a jawan -- Md Isahurul Islam, 27, and injury to three-four jawans, Tripathy said.

The STRACO force is deployed in the Maoist-affected belt of West Midnapore close to Lalgarh.

The slain jawan Islam hailed from Manikchak in Malda district.

The encounter took place barely 10 days after the killing of eight Maoists, including three women, in an encounter when security personnel raided a Naxalite hideout in Ranja forest under Salboni block on June 16.