Police gun down 7 'Maoists'

Police on Thursday claimed to have gunned down seven people allegedly having links with the banned CPI-Maoist group, in an encounter in the jungles bordering Gadchiroli and Chhattisgarh.

Sources from Gadchiroli stated that a combing operation was on in the jungles to recover the bodies. However, Additional Superintendent of Police of Aheri division, told media that the forces have already taken possession of four bodies and are on the lookout for three more bodies.

While the police have refused to confirm the number of injured amongst the forces, the sources disclosed that at least four police officials also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.

The reported gun-battle between the CPI-Maoist cadre and the police took place in a jungle near Bhatpar village in Bhamragad taluka, which is around 180 kms from the district (Gadchiroli) headquarters and over 800 kms from Mumbai.

State police control (Gadchiroli) said details of the gun-battle that took place early in the morning were awaited as the unit involved in the encounter had not returned.