29 Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar

Bhopal: In a major breakthrough, at least 29 Maoists, including dreaded Naxalite Shankar Rao, were reportedly killed in an encounter with security personnel near Narayanpur area in Kanker district of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

This comes just three days ahead of Lok Sabha polls. The Kanker Lok Sabha constituency will vote in the second phase of elections on April 26.

ASP Kanker, Manisha Thakur, said that the encounter took place near choti Bethiya in Kanker district around 12 noon and continued for about 4 hours.

The two slain Maoists have been identified as Shankar Rao and Lalita Mandvi and carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh each. The police have recovered 29 bodies of Maoists killed in police encounter, Thakur said.

An injured security personnel being treated after an encounter with Naxalites, in Kanker district, on Tuesday.

Three security personnel, including one police inspector of Border Security Force (BSF) as well as two constables of District Reserve Guard (DRG), were reportedly injured in the fierce gun-battle. The injured were airlifted with the help of chopper being pressed into service by the state police department.

The security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons from the spot including 5 AK-47, INSAS assault rifles and large quantity of ammo.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma lauded the security forces for the successful operation. He, however, has reportedly maintained that the government was ready to have a dialogue with Naxalites to shun bloodshed.  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated security forces for the successful operation against Naxalites in Chhattisgarh and said the Modi government is determined to free the country from the scourge.

"Today, a large number of Naxalites have been killed in the operation of security forces in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured," Shah wrote on 'X' in Hindi.