Three police personnel and two Maoists were killed in an encounter in Bijapur district of south Chhattisgarh on Sunday.
Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) K.L. Dhruw told The Hindu that the encounter took place when a team of the Special Task Force (STF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) was on a search operation near Jhappametta village under Mirtur police station.
10 naxals injured
“STF constable Sitaram Kunjram and DRG assistant constable Motiram were killed during the encounter and DRG assistant constable Paykuram Poyam, who was injured during the encounter, died while being moved for treatment,” Mr. Dhruw said.
Two Maoists were also killed in the gun battle, the SP said and claimed that his men managed to inflict grievous injuries on more than 10 Maoists during the encounter.
Asked whether assistant constable Paykuram Poyam died due to delay in rescue, Mr. Dhruw said the “hilly terrain” made it difficult for the helicopter to land.
“The helicopter was on standby but could not have landed at the encounter site as it is in extremely tough terrain. Our jawans tried their best to rescue him as early as possible, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way back to the base camp,” the SP said.
According to an officer, the police team went after a group of more than 130 Maoists moving in Jhappametta area and senior Maoist leader Ganesh Uike may have been among them.
One of the deceased Maoists has been identified as Masa alias Jithru, the ‘Commander’ of Maoists’ military company no.2.
Police also recovered 10 UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) shells from the encounter spot, the officer said.
Published - May 17, 2015 12:07 pm IST
