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Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. According to news agency ANI, two rifles have been recovered. Two Maoists were arrested by security personnel.
The gunfight took place in forests near a village under Pushpal police station limits when a team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was returning after discharging election-related duty, Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena told PTI.
A group of ultras opened fire on the DRG team near Mudwal village, located 500 km from state capital Raipur, triggering the gun-battle, he said.
After the guns fell silent, the bodies of two Naxals were recovered from the site, Meena said, adding that two firearms were also seized.
Two others Naxals were caught alive from the spot, the police officer said.
Earlier in the day, the voting for the first phase of elections was held in Chhattisgarh. Defying Maoist threats, 70 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote on Monday in 18 constituencies in the first phase of Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh. However, minutes before polling began, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated in Dantewada district by Naxals, who had called for a boycott of the polls. Moreover, five CRPF personnel were injured in a gun battle with the rebels in Pamed area in Bijapur district.
Five personnel of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) were also injured in encounter with Naxals in Bijapur district's Pamed area.
IED's were detected from many areas including Konta, Tumakpal-Nayanar and Tumakpal areas.
