Nine Naxals, two of them carrying rewards on their head, were arrested during a search operation in Chhattisgarh's Maoist-hit Narayanpur district.
The cadres were nabbed from a forest in Badenghol- Kaushapara village when they were trying to hide late last evening, Narayanpur Additional Superintendent of Police OP Sharma said today.
A joint party of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and a team of local police was on an area domination operation yesterday in the Jhara forests, located around 400 kms from the state capital Raipur.
On getting a tip-off about the presence of ultras in large number near Kaushalpara village forests, the security personnel took positions and encircled them, he said.
Those arrested were identified as - Sarju Korram, Jairam Salaam, Mangtu Korram, Durri Salaam, Ratu Korram, Sudren Salaam and three wanted rebels - Lakhan Potai, Beersingh Korram and Baju Potai - all aged between 25 and 45 years, Sharma said.
Lakhan and Baju were carrying cash rewards of Rs 10,000 each, he said.
All Maoists were involved in several cases of crime in the region ranging from loot, arson, murder and attack on police party, he said, adding their interrogation was on.
