Three Naxals killed in encounter in K'taka

Bangalore, Nov 19 (UNI) Three naxalites were killed in a fierce encounter with Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) at Mavinahola in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.

Police sources said a police constable of the ANF was also killed during the two-hour gun battle that took place late last midnight in Horanadu taluk.

According to police, during a combing operation in the forest, ANF came face to face with four naxals, including a woman. The militants fired at ANF and they returned the fire on the naxal group.

Later, during a search of the area, ANF found three bodies of naxals. While two of them were identified as Manohar and Naveen, the third was yet to be identified.

Police constable Guruprasad from Bhagamandala, succumbed to bullet injuries.

The woman, the fourth member of the naxal group, escaped under the cover of darkness, police said.

UNI RS SIV ROY SB ND1206