Three other cops were also injured in the incident and were flown to Nagpur in a chopper for treatment. (Representational)
In a setback to Gadchiroli police, two policemen were killed when Naxalites allegedly ambushed a C60 commando party in Poyarkoti-Koparshi area in Bhamragad tehsil on Sunday morning. Three cops were injured and are being treated, a press note by Gadchiroli police
The press note said, ” Police Sub-inspector Dhanaji Honmane, around 30 years of age,and constable Kishore Atram, about 32-year-old, became martyrs in the encounter between 6 am and 6.30 am on Sunday.
A senior police official said that three other policemen were also injured in the ambush. The press note, however, was silent on injuries to anyone.
PSI Honmane had recently been decorated with DGP’s medal for valour.
The press note also claimed that about four-five Naxals may have been killed in the retaliatory fire by the police.
According to police, Naxalites are on a tactical counter offensive campaign (TCOC) during the months of April, May and June and try out guerrilla attacks during this time.
On May 2, the police had killed senior Naxalite Surjanakka in an operation near Jarawandi village in Etapalli tehsil. Naxalites had later claimed that she was killed by deceit when she was busy raising awareness on Covid-19. However, police rejected the allegation as “regular Naxal propaganda”. The Naxals had vowed revenge of Surjanakka’s killing.