Gadchiroli: In a major intelligence-based operation, three Naxals including a Dalham commander and two women cadres were killed during an encounter in the Maoist-infested Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
The three, who died in the operation, totally carried a reward of over Rs 20 lakh on their heads.
The three Naxal operatives include Vasu Samar Korcha, the commander of Perimeli Dalam, who carried a reward of 16 lakh on his head.
Two others were identified as Reshma Madam and Kamla Madam, both members of Company No 10 of Perimili Dalam.
According to the police, they had received credible information that some members of the Naxals of the Perimili Dalam camping in a forest area near Katrangatta village in Bhamragad taluka.
Special Inspector General of Police Sandeep Patil, who heads the Anti-Naxal Operations (ANO) and Deputy Inspector General Ankit Goyal, who is in-charge of the Gadchiroli Range and Superintendent of Police Neelotpal, who heads the Gadchiroli district police, led the operations.
Neelotpal congratulated the Gadchiroli police and elite C-60 commando unit for the successful operation.
During the operations, the police seized one AK-47 assault rifle, one carbine, one INSAS rifle, explosives and Maoist literature.
The intention of carrying out subversive activities during the ongoing Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) March-June period.
An intelligence input was received that some members of the Perimili Dalam of Naxalites were camping in a forest near Katrangatta village in Bhamragad taluka with an aim to carry out subversive activities during their ongoing Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) period, Superintendent of Police Neelotpal said.
Two units of C-60 commandos, a specialised combat wing of the Gadchiroli police, were immediately sent for a search in the area, he said.
While the teams were carrying out the search operation, Naxalites fired at them indiscriminately, to which the C-60 personnel retaliated, the official said.
After the firing stopped, bodies of a male and two female Naxalites were recovered from the spot, he said.
One of them was identified as Vasu, in-charge and commander of the Perimili Dalam, the official said.
An AK-47 rifle, a carbine, an INSAS rifle, Naxal literature and items were also found at the spot, he said.
The anti-Naxal operation was under way in the area, the police added.
Naxalites undertake the TCOC from March-June to strengthen their cadres and launch major attacks on security forces as forests are devoid of green cover, thereby increasing visibility.