3 naxalites killed, 7 hurt in encounter in Gadchiroli

Nagpur, Feb 21 (UNI) Three naxals were killed and seven others injured in an encounter today with police in Gadchiroli district in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

The encounter took place in Shirkunda forests in the district this morning after routine patrolling by a search party, police sources said.

The naxalites, who were holding a camp in the area, opened fire on the police, who returned the fire, the sources said.

The outlaws fled into the jungle as the police gained an upper hand, leaving the body of their colleague, killed in the exchange of fire, at the spot, the sources said adding they took away the other two bodies.

The slain naxalite was identified as Jaitoo, the commander of the platoon dalam of the outlawed movement, they said.

The police also seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the spot, the sources added.

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