RAIPUR: A Maoist was killed in a fierce encounter with security personnel in forests of insurgency-hit Bijapur district on Tuesday. Police claim to have killed around four Maoists killed in the encounter, however body of only of them was received. A CRPF personnel has also sustained bullet injuries in the incident.
According to Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj, “A joint team of 222nd and 196th battalion of Central Reserve Police Force from Usoor and Galgam camps, was out on road safety and searching on Tuesday when around around 3.30 pm an encounter broke out with the rebels. The battle went on for about 45 minutes while reinforcements of Special Task Force and CRPF were sent to the spot. During the search, security personnel found uniformed body of a Maoist.”
The IG said it appears from the site of incident that nearly Maoists fell dead in the encounter. A CRPF constable of 196th battalion Mithilesh Kumar sustained bullet injuries on his waist and was rushed to hospital. His condition was stated to be stable.
IG said that another man who got injured in the faceoff was identified as Kottam Soma, who is a villager and was also shifted to district hospital. Under what circumstances did he get injured is yet to be known.
The search continues in the region, IG said.
The incident occurs a day after special DG (anti-Naxalite operation) Ashok Juneja and ADG Nitin Agrawal were on a visit to Bastar and Dantewada districts to convene meetings with officers to discuss strategy for ‘martyrs week’ beginning from July 28, which the rebels observe in memory of their deceased cadres.
