Several Reds hurt in gunfight with cops in Hazaribag forest

Hazaribag: Several Maoists are believed to have suffered bullet injuries in an encounter with police in Bakchumba forest in Pipradih under Keredari police station on Saturday night, Hazaribag SP Kartik S said on Sunday. The encounter site is about 75km from the district headquarters.
Kartik said, “We had information that zonal commander Mithilesh and sub-zonal commander Karu Yadav along with 12 others were camping in the forests for the last one week. They were planning an attack on security forces and to extort money from traders in the coal belt of Barkagaon and adjoining areas. We formed a team along with CRPF to crackdown on them when the rebels began firing upon seeing security forces.”
Around 100 rounds of bullets were fired from both the sides, he said, adding, “The firing ended around midnight and all rebels fled from the spot, however, many sustained bullet injuries. None from the police side suffered injuries. We are trying to trace them.”
Since Sunday morning, police intensified combing operation in the area but till the time of filing this report, no arrest was made. “We have recovered clothes, food, medicines, shoes, and other items left behind,” Kartik said.