Two Maoists killed, two held in Bastar

The security forces in Bastar division were directed to plan strategy to take on the ultras, who usually start their Tactical Counter-Offensive Campaign in January, police said.

Google Maps image locates Kondagaon district in Chhattisgarh, where a fierce encounter between Naxals and security forces took place on Tuesday.

Two Maoist guerrillas of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) were killed and one was arrested during an encounter with the police in restive Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, the police said.

“The Maoists’ Kudhur Local Operating Squad (LOS) commander and one LOS members were killed in a fierce encounter between Kondagaon District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Maoists today morning,” informed S.R.P. Kalluri, the Inspector-General of Police, Bastar range.

“In view of the Maoists’ Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign which began on January 1, police teams were sent on operation in different parts of Bastar on January 3. One such team, comprising of 35 DRG boys, was sent from Kondagaon towards Kudhur forest. When this team was returning to the headquarters, the Maoists ambushed it. Our men retaliated the fire forcing the Maoists to flee the area. Two dead bodies of uniformed Maoists were recovered after searching the spot of the encounter,” he added.

One Maoist, identified as Kudhur LOS member Jai Singh, was also arrested by the force from a nearby village.

The dead Maoists have been identified as LOS commander Jai Ram and LOS member Holdhar Kashyap.

Three country-made guns were also recovered by the force from the spot of the encounter.

In a separate incident, one Maoist was arrested by Sukma police from Kerlapal area of the district.