37 Maoists killed in 48 hours in Gadchiroli

Thirty-seven Maoists have been killed in the last 48 hours in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

The operation by C-60 special force of Anti-Naxalite Operations (ANO) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is still underway in Gadchiroli, nearly 900 km away from the state capital of Mumbai.

Reports state that bodies of 11 Maoists, including women, were spotted on Monday evening along the banks of the Indravati river which flows along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border.

These Maoists are believed to be part of the group in which 16 cadres were killed in the forests around Tadgaon in Bhamragad tehsil. Also, on Monday night, six Maoists were killed at Jimlagatta, nearly 60 km away from Tadgaon.

So far, three top commanders have been killed in the two operations spread over three days - Shrinu alias Shrikant alias Virjedar Narsimallu Rathun, Sainath alias Dolesh Madi Atram and Nandu.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, is in touch with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
"It is an intelligence-based operation and multi-pronged," a senior police official said.

The Sironcha and Perimeli Dalhams have been wiped out in the operation. The combing operation is still underway. Bodies of at least 12 Maoists have been identified.