Naxal commander killed in police encounter

A Naxal commander was today gunned down by police in Maoist-hit Dantewada district, taking the number of rebels killed in various encounters in Bastar region this month to 15, police said.
The skirmish took place at around 1 PM between a squad of District Reserve Group (DRG) and rebels at Kesapur village under Tongpal police station limits, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Kamlochan Kashyap told PTI.
Acting on a tip-off about the presence of Podia, section commander of Maoists' military platoon no.13, at Kesapur weekly market, a small DRG team comprising 10 personnel launched the operation in Faraspal, located around 450 kms away from the state capital, he said.

On reaching Kesapur, the security personnel spotted Podia and tried to nab him, but suddenly firing broke out from the other side prompting the policemen to retaliate, he said.
However, the other Ultras soon fled from the spot following which security forces cordoned-off the area and recovered the body of Podia. A 303 rifle, its nine live rounds, a 315 bore revolver and its six live rounds were also seized from the spot, the SP said.
A dreaded Naxal cadre, Podia had been instrumental in executing several deadly attacks in the region, he said.
With this encounter, the number of Naxals gunned down in six separate encounters in south Bastar this month has reached 15, Kashyap said.