2 Naxals killed in fierce encounter with police

, Oct 31 : Two Naxalites were killed in a fierce gun battle with security personnel in Maoist-hit Sukma district of south Chhattisagrh today.

"The face-off between the ultras and the joint group of security personnel from state police and Andhra Pradesh took place in the forests under Maraigudi Police Station limits this morning," Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police Neeraj Chandrakar told PTI over phone.

According to the officer, the security personnel were conducting anti-Naxal operations in the interior parts of the Maraiguda jungle, located around 500 kms away from the state capital on Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border, when they were ambushed. "On seeing the police-team near Bade Telma village forests, rebels opened indiscriminate fire on the team which was returned by police, leaving two Naxals dead," Chandrakar said, adding the Naxals fled into jungle as police retaliated with heavy firing.

Later, security forces recovered bodies of two rebels and two SLR rifles from the encounter spot, he said. Further details are awaited as security forces are yet to reach their camp, he said. Soon after the encounter, additional forces were rushed to the spot, the officer added.

PTI