Naxal killed in police encounter in Chhattisgarh

A suspected naxal was gunned down in an exchange of fire with security forces in dense forest of Bijapur district today, police said.
"The skirmish took place late in afternoon in forest between Puvarti (Sukma district) and Kondapalli villages under Basaguda police station limits of Bijapur," Bijapur SP K L Dhruv told PTI.
A joint team of CoBRA (commando battalion for resolute action)- a CRPF specialised unit, District Reserve Group (DRG) and local police had launched the counter-insurgency operation in the jungles of Basaguda and Awapalli, around 450 kms away from here, he said.
While security forces were cordoning off a restive pocket on Bijapur-Sukma border, they came under heavy fire from a group of armed naxals leading to a heavy gun-battle, the SP added.

After firing stopped, forces recovered body of a Maoist clad in 'uniform' along with one Insas LMG rifle.
The identity of the deceased is being ascertained, he said.

"Probably the 1st military battalion of Maoists led by Commander Hidma had attacked the police party. Further details are awaited as the party is yet to return to its camp," Dhruv said.
He termed the encounter as the "first major success of Bastar police in 2017."
Last year, total 134 naxals were killed in separate encounters in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.