The Chhattisgarh police todayclaimed that 18 Naxals were killed during a joint counter-insurgency operation by security forces in Tondamarka area of Sukma district last month.
The operation, named 'Prahaar', was conducted by the CRPF, the CoBRA (an elite unit of CRPF) and the state police's Special Task Force and District Reserve Guard between June 23 and 25, police said.
The area, situated deep inside forests under Chhintagufa police station limits, is considered a "Naxal den".
While the body of only one Naxal was recovered, Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena today said the police had confirmed reports of death of 18 Naxals.
Body of Uika Lakhu, a hardcore "military cadre", was recovered, Meena told PTI.
Several other rebels were either killed or injured but their colleagues managed to drag their bodies away, he said.
Three DRG jawans were also killed and six other security personnel injured in the operation, the SP said.
"We have received confirmed reports that 14 Maoists were gunned down in exchange of fire with security forces during that operation, while another four injured cadres succumbed later," Meena said.
As per the local intelligence sources, six of these slain Naxals were identified as Sodhi Budhra, Podiyam Suresh, Muchaki Jogi, Madvi Hidma, Veti Joga and Sodhi Lakhe, all belonging to People's Liberation GuerrillaArmy (PLGA) squad of Maoists, he added.
On April 24 this year, 25 CRPF personnel who were providing security for a road construction work were killed in a Naxal attack in Burkapal area of Sukma.
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