2 Naxals killed in encounter in Gadchiroli district

Chandrapur: Police commandos busted a Naxal camp and gunned down two Naxalites in an early morning encounter on Sunday at Narekasa forest under Gyarapatti police station in north Gadchiroli district.
Police officials claimed 4-5 more casualties were likely based on the blood stains found at the encounter site, but said they have recovered only two dead bodies. Cops have recovered substantial weapons from the site and intense search operation was launched in the area to track the fleeing Naxalites.
Official sources said Gadchiroli police had got intelligence input about location of Naxal camp of company dalam in the forests under Gyarapatti police station in Korchi tehsil. They had also gathered information that Dandkaranya zonal committee member Bhaskar Hichami too was present at the camp. Bhaskar is one of the masterminds of the Maoist attack on May 1 in Gadchiroli that claimed the lives of 15 security personnel.
Based on the information, police deployed six C-60 commando teams in the area for anti-Naxal operations since Saturday. As the commando team moved close to the Naxal camp in Narekasa forest, the Naxalites fired at them in the early morning hours. Police commandos retaliated, and the encounter lasted for half an hour, after which the rebels were forced to retreat. Police officials claimed there were at least 25 Naxals in the camp.
Two bodies were recovered from the spot during the post-encounter search operation. The slain Naxals include one male and one female cadre. The male was identified as Lalsu alias Shantram Gadve, a native of Murmgaon in Dhanora tehsil, and member of Naxal company no. 4. He also worked as Platoon Party committee member. The female Naxal has been identified as Samila, resident of Baster in Chhattisgarh, who worked for Naxal company no. 4.
Police suspect Bhaskar along with 4-5 other Naxals suffered injuries in the operation. Police forces had neutralized Bhaskar’s wife Ramko Narote earlier in April.
SP Shailesh Balkawade said there was a senior cadre present at the camp, and security forces are ascertaining whether he was among those killed or injured. “Security forces tracked down the Maoists following precise information and successfully busted their camp.” he said.
Police have recovered substantial weapons, including a carbine machine gun, a 12-bore rifle, many bullets, IED equipment, a binocular, transistor along with daily use items from the encounter spot. There are no reports of any kind of casualty or injuries on the police side.
Additional forces have been rushed to the area after the encounter. Intense search operation has been launched in the forest to track down the fleeing Naxals.