A police constable of the Anti-Naxal Force suffered a minor injury during an exchange of fire between a group of suspected Maoists and ANF personnel near Heggane estate, around 30 km from Sringeri, on Wednesday.
The Maoists managed to escape, necessitating intensified combing operations in the region. Superintendent of Police N. Shashi Kumar told The Hindu over telephone that the constable, Girish, was in the team led by PSI Jagadeesh, which encountered the Maoists during regular combing operations. The constable suffered a minor injury and was admitted to the government hospital in Sringeri. However, the Maoists comprising eight members, including a woman, escaped. The ANF team recovered plastic sheets, rice and vegetables from the spot. “They seem to have been led by Mundagaru Latha. The ANF has decided to intensify combing in the region,” Mr. Kumar said.
