Naxal killed in encounter in Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, Nov 13 (UNI) A naxalite was killed and four others seriously injured in a fierce encounter with police in Gadchiroli district in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra today.

The encounter took place in the Kotami forest area during a routine combing operation by a police squad. A group of naxalites, lying in wait, opened indiscriminate fire at the police squad, which returned the fire, police sources said.

The exchange of fire continued for about 30 minutes, after which the outlaws fled into the jungle, police said. The body of one naxalite was recovered from the spot and the amount of blood indicated that 'three or four' others may have been seriously injured or killed in the exchange, the sources said.

The killed naxalite was later identified as Yeshu Windo Kumare alias Ghuge (38), a resident of village Gadheri in the same district, police said.

Ghuge had been active in the illegal movement since 1992, and has more than 10 offences of serious nature, including arson, murder and insult to the national tricolour pending against him, they said adding he was also involved in the ransacking of a place of worship and murder of two surrendered naxalites.

A close associate of Naxal commander Jogana, Ghuge used to collect confidential information about the police, they added.

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