Five naxals killed in encounters in AP

Hyderabad, Mar 9 (UNI) Five naxalites, including a woman, were killed in two different encounters in Andhra Pradesh today.

In Karimnagar district, three ultras, including a woman naxal belonging to 'Praja Prathighatana' party were killed in an encounter near the forest area of Stambampally village of Mahamutharam mandal, while two Maoists were killed in Mahabubnagar district.

Acting on a tip-off that naxals were extorting money from local contractors and political leaders, a police party was posted near the forest area of Stambampally village. The police spotted the naxal group and asked them to surrender but they opened fire. Police returned the fire, killing the three naxals.

One of the three naxals was identified as Mahadevpur area Dalam commander Ranjit.

In Mahabubnagar district, two Maoists were killed early this morning.

According to police, a combing party found a group of naxalites moving about near Banala village under Balmur mandal. When asked to surrender, they opened fire. Police returned the fire killing two naxalites.

UNI ASJ/JRK VD DS1600