In a major success, security forces on Monday killed a Naxalite with a bounty of Rs 14 lakh was killed in an encounter in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat. The encounter broke out in the Kathiatola forest area under the Hatta police station. According to Additional Director General (ADG) of Anti-Naxal Operations, Jaideep Prasad, the hawk forces of state police received intel that a Naxalite group had arrived in Kathiatola village to collect groceries. After the search operation was initiated, they spotted 10-12 Naxalites and called them out in the forest for questioning. However, they opened fire on the hawk forces.
Sohan killed in retaliatory action
In retaliatory action, the police opened fire, causing the Naxalites hiding in the dense forest and hilly terrain to flee. The police then initiated a search operation and found the body of Sohan alias Ukas aka Aayutu. The officials later identified Sohan as a dreaded Naxalite who was an expert in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He was a resident of the Sukma district in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Sohan had eight criminal cases registered against him in MP and was active in the neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.
MP police neutralised 19 Naxalites in 5 years
The police also confiscated a 315-bore rifle and a wireless set from the deceased. Meanwhile, the search was underway for other Naxalites who might have been injured in the encounter. The official said that in the last five years, at least 19 Naxalites with a collective bounty of Rs 3.14 crore from across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra have been gunned down in Madhya Pradesh,
(With PTI Inputs)
ALSO READ | Chhattisgarh: Five Naxalites, with bounties worth lakhs, surrender in Sukma
