Four naxals, 1 policeman killed in encounter in Gadchiroli

Nagpur, Feb 22 (UNI) Four naxalites and a policeman were killed in an exchange of fire in Gadchiroli district in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra today.

According to police, the encounter occurred when a police patrol party was carrying out combing operation in the jungles near Dagor Pahadi in Bhamragarh tehsil of the district this morning. The combing operation was being carried out on the basis of a tip-off that naxalites had set up an arms training camp in the area, police said.

The naxalites allegedly opened fire at the police party, which was returned. The naxalites fled into the jungle after realising that the police were gaining an upper hand. As many as four naxalites were killed in the encounter, the police said, adding that, one policeman--identified as constable Srinivas Dandikwar -- died in the firing.

The four slain outlaws have not been identified as yet, the police said, adding that, they had also seized a large cache of arms and ammunition, including three rifles and two wireless walkie-talkie sets from the encounter spot.

The police had yesterday gunned down three naxalites in an encounter in Shirkunda forest in Gadchiroli district.

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