BREAKING: 12 Maoists Killed in Encounter With Security Forces in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli: 12 Maoists were reportedly killed in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district by the security forces in an encounter that broke out on Wednesday afternoon. According to the Maharashtra police, based on credible intelligence about the presence of around 15 Maoists, the operation by the security forces was launched on Wednesday at around 10 am. As the security forces initiated a search operation to trace the extremists, a gun fight broke out in the forest area, during which at least 12 Maoists were killed.

A senior police official stated that a heavy exchange of fire started in the afternoon and continued intermittently till late evening for more than 6 hours. Following the encounter, an area search was launched during which as many as 12 bodies of the Maoists were recovered.

Huge Cache of Arms, Ammunition Recovered

The security forces also recovered 7 automotive weapons including 3 AK 47, 2 INSAS, 1 carbine, and 1 SLR from the encounter site.

One of the dead Maoists has been identified as DVCM Laxman Atram alias Vishal Atram, who was in charge of Tipagad Dalam. The police are making efforts to identify the other dead Maoists.

The police official stated that one PSI of C60 and one jawan also suffered bullet injuries during the encounter. They were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment in Nagpur, where they were claimed to be out of danger.

The operation was launched on Wednesday in Gadchiroli by the 7 C60 parties led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, who were sent near the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh Border in Wandoli Village on intelligence input about around 15 Maoists camping near the village.

Further identification of Maoists and area search is underway.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared a cash reward of Rs 51 Lakhs for the C 60 commandos and the Gadchiroli Police for executing the anti-Maoist operation successfully.