7 naxalites nabbed in Gadchiroli district

Nagpur, Jan 15 (UNI) Seven suspected naxalites were nabbed by police while they were trying to escape into the jungles after a brief encounter with police near village Chintarvela at Sironcha tehsil in Gadchiroli district of Vidarbha in the wee hours today.

According to the police, a joint team of the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh police were carrying out a combing operation in the area after receiving a tip-off that a group of naxalites was camping in the area.

On seeing the police party, the naxalites opened fire. In retaliation, the policemen returned the fire, which lasted for ten minutes. The naxalites were trying to escape into the jungle when seven of them were nabbed by the police team.

Police recovered eight tents, 25 blankets and Rs 50,000 in cash from the spot.

Police took into custody 15 other persons, suspected to be involved in smuggling of teakwood, and also seized 50 bullock-carts, loaded with teakwood.

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