17 naxals slain in encounter on Chhattisgarh-AP border

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Mar 18 (UNI) Seventeen naxals, including three women and four 'commanders', owing allegiance to the 'Military Dalam' were killed in an encounter in Bastar division's Bijapur district early today.

''The encounter took place on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border near Dharmavaram village's Talperu river 5 km from Pamed.

Both states' police personnel were part of the action,'' said Inspector-General (Bastar Range) R K Vij.

Two AK-47 rifles, five self-loading rifles, five .303 guns and three 12-bore guns were seized from the spot. The bodies were taken to Andhra Pradesh's Kerla Police Station for post mortem.

UNI XC-AC MSJ DB2045