Five naxalites killed in an encounter in Chikmaglur district

Mangalore, JulY 10 (UNI) Five naxalites of Maoist group were killed and two policemen sustained bullet injuries in an exchange of firing between naxals and police at Vadayara Mata near Menasinahadya village in Chikmaglur district in the early hours of today.

Inspector General of Police (Western Range) A M Prasad told UNI here that seven naxalites were holed up in a house located in the forest area. Acting on a tip off, police surrounded the house last night and kept a watch on the house. Sensing trouble, the naxalites came out opening fire against the forces which had surrounded the house. While five naxalites were killed in the encounter two escaped into the forest. Police have recovered a sten gun from the scene of encounter, he added.

Those killed were identified as Gautam, Paramesh, Kavery, Ramegowda and Subramanya. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital.

The naxals had killed a police 'informer' last month in protest against release of naxalites names by the government and had torched a bus. The naxalites had also visited the house of a Bharatiya Janat Party leader a few days ago and had warned against helping the police in nabbing naxalites.

UNI