Maharashtra: 3 'wanted' Naxals killed in Gadchiroli police encounter
What's the story
At least three Naxals were killed in an encounter with the police's C60 Commandos in Gadchiroli of Maharashtra, PTI reported.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Gadchiroli, Sandip Patil, the encounter took place in Manne Rajaram of Aheri tehsil.
Meanwhile, the police recovered arms and ammunition from the slain ultras, who also had a reward of Rs. 38 lakh.
Details
Police launched anti-Naxal operation based on tipoff
The operation was launched after the police received information that Naxals were camping in the jungle, according to India Today.
Based on this information, the Gadchiroli Police sent two C60 teams to conduct a search operation.
During the search, the Naxalites allegedly opened fire on the police, prompting the latter to respond, according to Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal.
Claims
Dalam commander among 3 Naxals killed in encounter
The killed Naxals were identified as Bitlu Madavi, a commander of Perimili Dalam, Vasu of Perimili Dalam, and Srikant of Aheri Dalam.
According to the police, Madavi was the main suspect in the March 9 murder of a student, Sainath Narote, as well as two arson cases in Visamundi and Alenga in February and March this year.
Reaction
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis lauds police for killing Naxals
In a statement to the media, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commended the Maharashtra Police for carrying out the encounter.
He stated that the C60 jawans and troops were consistently displaying amazing bravery, and their activities were leading to the welfare of the Gadchiroli area and its people.
Fadnavis is also expected to visit the incident site with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Twitter Post
What Fadnavis said about the operation
Nagpur | C60 force of Maharashtra Police has killed three Naxal supporters in Gadchiroli in an encounter and I thank them for this step: Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis pic.twitter.com/u2hl78J4bD
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2023
Past incidents
Naxals killed tribal youth during Holi
Notably, the Maharashtra Police intensified anti-Naxal operations in March after the killing of Narote, a competitive exam aspirant.
He was allegedly kidnapped by Naxals during Holi on the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border and later killed.
In another encounter, a Naxal, Sameer alias Sadhu Linga Mohanda, who was carrying a Rs. 2 lakh reward on his head, was killed by C60 jawans in Gadchiroli on April 1.