Chhattisgarh: Six Naxals killed in 2 encounters, arms recovered

At least six Naxals, including one woman rebel, were on Tuesday gunned down in two encounters with the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district as part of "Operation Prahaar-2".

Nine weapons were also recovered from the Naxals killed in Abujmarh area of the district.

Addressing the media, special director general of police DM Awasthi informed, "Operation Prahaar-2 was taken into action in Dhurbeda forest. Naxals were allegedly tasked with collecting ration for ultras, arranging a meeting of villagers, spreading Maoist propaganda and planting IEDs to harm security forces".

"Over 2,000 security personnel, including officers from Chhatisgarh Police's Special Task Force(STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and CoBRA team, were deployed in insurgency-hit areas of Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur," he added.

He also mentioned that as part of the operation, it was the first time that the joint forces were out in Dhurbeda forest.

Awasthi continued that after a gun-battle between them and the rebels, the body of a woman Naxalite was recovered with weapons, adding that later in the afternoon, five more Naxals were killed in another encounter.

"Two 303 rifles, five 315 bore rifles, one 12 bore gun and a pistol were recovered after the two encounters," he stated further.

Awasthi also claimed that the latest incident adds up to the number of total 63 Naxals killed this year, of which 42 were carrying cash reward on their heads.

Last month, seven Naxals were arrested along with a firearm and some explosives in Narayanpur, an insurgency-hit area in the state.

The Chhatisgarh Police had launched 'Operation Prahaar' in June this year to tackle Naxals in sensitive areas.