At least 10 Maoists killed in Telangana encounter
In a major win for security forces, at least 10 Maoists including a top leader have been killed in an encounter in Telangana. Six of them are believed to be women. At least one policeman is reportedly injured. The bodies are being shifted to a nearby hospital and a huge cache of weapons seized from the encounter site.
DM Awasthi, Special DG (Naxal Operations) confirms deaths
Encounter broke out as joint teams launched combing operations
The gunfight broke out between joint teams of Telangana and Chhattisgarh police, who had launched combing operations in the Pujari Kanker forests in Bijapur at 6:30am. Among the dead was Haribhushan, a top state committee leader known for his military tactics. Identification of the others is underway. Sources said the death toll may rise. Meanwhile, the injured constable has been airlifted to a hospital.
Revolutionary Writers Association member claims encounter was 'fake'
However, Revolutionary Writers Association member Varavara Rao claimed it wasn't an encounter. "The encounter was fake. Police caught (the Maoists) and tortured them and murdered them. A judicial probe has to be conducted," he said.
