The body of Ranader, a commander-rank cadre, clad in "uniform" was recovered after the skirmish took place between a team of District Reserve Group (DRG) and ultras in forests under Bayanar police station limits, Inspector General of Police Bastar Range, SRP Kalluri, told PTI.
Acting on specific inputs, a squad of DRG, comprising 8 personnel, led by Sub-Inspector Avadh Ram Sahu had launched the operation this morning from Dhanora police station towards Bayanar, Kalluri said.
While security forces were cordoning off a forested patch near Kejam village, they came face-to-face with a group of armed cadres at around 11 AM following which a gun-battle broke out between both the sides, he added.
Ranader, who was commander of Bayanar area committee of Maoists, was recently shifted to Benoor dalam, he said.
Heavy blood stains found at the sites indicated that several rebels were injured in the encounter, he said, adding that the police party is on way back to camp.