At least 11 Maoists were killed in an encounter that took place on July 28 in Sukma district of Bastar, police said on Wednesday.
“On Monday, an encounter took place near Ramaram village in Sukma district. It was carried out by a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) and the district police, led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of CRPF, Mr.Upadhyay. Today, we have received information through our reliable sources of that area that ten more Maoists were killed in that encounter (apart from the one confirmed dead earlier),” Mr.S.R. Kalluri, the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Bastar range, told The Hindu over phone.
“However, we could recover only one dead body because our men were also injured and the villagers had also started surrounding that area,” added Mr.Kalluri.
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The IG also informed that the deceased Maoists include five commanders of Maoist militia and Local Operation Squad while one assistant commandant of the CRPF and two police constables suffered injuries.
“The Maoists had gathered near Ramaram for the Martyrs’ week which is being observed in Bastar,” said the IG adding that only the CRPF DIG who led the operation would be able to divulge further details of the encounter.
The IG (Operations) of the CRPF, Mr.H.S.Sidhhu said that 10 to 12 Maoists may have been killed in that encounter.
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“I cannot confirm the exact number of deaths but what Mr.Kalluri has said is correct because we are also getting the same information,” said Mr. Siddhu.
“The encounter took place when we (security forces) were carrying out an operation in that area. That area is a known to be the hardcore area of Maoists where their presence is heavy. The Maoists military company was probably there, who attacked us with the support of their local militia members,” Mr.Siddhu told The Hindu.
According to Sukma district Superintendent of Police (SP) D.Shrawan, the encounter took place outside Ramaram village and the security forces had cordoned off the village when the Maoists fired from the forest area.