Raipur: A police official was killed in a fierce gun battle with Maoists in a remote area of Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district.
Four Maoists were also killed in the encounter that took place at Pardhauni village late on Friday, after police raided a Maoist hideout, officials at police headquarters here said.
The slain policeman has been identified as Shyam Kishore Sharma, in-charge of Madanwara police station, which is located about 200 km from the state capital.
Of the four, two were women insurgents killed in the joint operation by the 27 Battalion Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Chhattisgarh Police. Four rifles, including one AK-47 and one SLR have been recovered.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has condoled the death of the police officer. Police officials claimed that Maoists killed in the gunfight were dreaded ultras, who were carrying bounty of Rs 1 lakh and above.
In another incident Maoist guerrillas set 13 vehicles on fire in Jharkhand’s Palamau district on Saturday, police said.
According to police, 15 to 16 Maoists raided a crusher stone company at Chaparwar village situated under Pipra police station of Palamau district, early on early Saturday. They set fire to 13 vehicles parked in the area.
The denial of levy by the company is said to be the reason behind the arson.
Maoist guerrillas are active in 18 of the 24 districts in the state.
Every year 50 to 60 vehicles are set on fire in the state by the Maoists. (IANS)
COMMENTS