Security forces kill seven Maoists in Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli, Feb 18: Security forces shot dead 7 Maoists in Betkathi jungle of Korchi Taluka in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on Tuesday.

Sources said that arms have been recovered from the militants. Four policemen were injured during the operation. Reportedly, border areas of Chattisgarh are under high alert.

This was a major success for Maharashtra Police in their counter-insurgency operations in the Vidarbha region's Gadchiroli district which has been a Maoist stronghold for years.

The gun battle took place in the deep forests of Bedhkati area near the Gadchiroli-Gondia border around 11.30 p.m. late Monday, said Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police S. Haque.

"The cross-firing lasted for nearly two hours. We subsequently recovered seven bodies, including of two women. They were all clad in Naxal uniforms. So far, we have identified six of them as well as their dalams (platoon)," Haque told IANS.

He said the security forces also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from them, including at least one army AK-47 assault rifle, three SLRs, hand grenades and a large quantity of live ammunition rounds.

In the joint operation carried out by Gadchiroli and Gondia police units, four policemen sustained injuries and have been admitted to a hospital.

Oneindia News
(With agency inputs)