1 Naxal seriously injured in exchange of fire with ANF

Karnataka Anti-Naxal Force today exchanged fire with suspected Maoists between Kalkunda and Cheru forest area in Dakshina Kannada district, seriously injuring a Naxal, a top police official said.

About six to seven Maoists fired at ANF officials, prompting them to retaliate while combing the area, ADGP (Law and Order) Bipin Gopalakrishna said.

The Maoists, who had fired more than seven rounds at ANF men, fled the scene, he said.

"We believe that the injured Maoist could be dead," he said.

Gopalakrishna said combing operations have been intensified and more ANF teams pressed into action. He also said six groups of ANF personnel and officials have been conducting combing operations in the deep forest area.

Two days ago, a similar exchange of fire had occurred near the Palligadde Forests near Kalkunda, four km from Hassan district border.