5 naxalites shot dead

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, July 21 (UNI) Five naxalites, including an Area Commander of the CPI(Maoist), were killed in an encounter with the police in Chhattisgarh's Dantewarad district last night, police said today.

The encounter between the ultras and security forces, comprising CRPF and Special Police Officers, took place in Punur forest area under Awapalli police station.

Police said the naxalites, who were surrounded by the security forces, exploded land mines and opened fire. Police retaliated killing five ultras. The bodies had been recovered today.

One gun, foreign-made bomb, petrol bomb and other materials were recovered from the spot, police added.

UNI XC-SP MSJ ND1722