Maharashtra: At least 12 Naxals were killed in an encounter with police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. Several automatic weapons were recovered from the Naxals. The security operation went on for at least six hours.
The encounter took place between C-60 Maharashtra Police Party and Naxals in the forest between Chhindbhatti and PV 82 (border area of District Kanker Police Station Bande) under Police Station Jharwandi of District Gadchiroli between 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm today.
A heavy exchange of fire started in the afternoon and continued intermittently till late evening for more than 6 hours on Wednesday. Area search has led to the recovery of 12 Naxal dead bodies till now.
Seven automotive weapons including 3 AK47, 2 INSAS, one carbine, and one SLR have been recovered till now. DVCM Laxman Atram aka Vishal Atram, Incharge of Tipagad Dalam has been identified as one of the dead Naxals.
Further identification of Naxals and area search is underway. One Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) of C60 and one jawan have suffered bullet injuries. According to reports, they are out of danger and have been shifted to Nagpur, Gadchirolia SP Neelotpal has informed.
Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared a Rs 51 lakh reward for C60 commando teams and Gadchiroli Police, Nilotpal said.
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