13 Maoists killed in encounter: Police official

Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, Mar 18 (UNI) Thirteen naxals, including Dalam Commanders and members, belonging to CPI (Maoist), were killed in a police encounter near Charla mndal under Pameru police station limits in Bijapur district on Andhra-Chhattisgarh border area.

Speaking to UNI over phone, Khammam District Superintendent of Police Devendra Singh Chauhan said 13 bodies were recovered from the forests where the Greyhound forces of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh police exchanged fire with the naxals.

On a tip-off that the Maoists were conducting the party's Plenary in the forests on Andhra-Chhattisgarh border, the Greyhound forces started combing the area last night. Both sides exchanged fire for more than three hours.

Mr Chauhan said ten arms, including an AK 47 rifle were recovered from the spot. The slain naxals were yet to be identified.

Combing operations have been intensified in the forests, he added.

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