Maoist killed in police encounter in Chhattisgarh

A Maoist was killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district while another one was held in Odisha's Malkangiri district.

The Maoist named Kosa Ayatu, belonging to Maoist cultural front CNM, was killed in a police encounter where a police official was also injured.

The deceased was carrying arms and ammunition.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bijapur district K.L. Dhruv, said the Maoists had attacked the police helicopter during the encounter.

"There were two encounters on return. The deputy commander of western Bastar district, Kosa Ayatu of CNM was killed. It is an achievement for the police. The Maoists had targeted police helicopter," said Dhruv.

Meanwhile, another rebel was arrested in Malkangiri district of Odisha during a joint operation by the personnel of India's paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) and the district police.

Malkangiri's Superintendent of Police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, said the Maoist identified as Singa Kattami alias Mahesh (25) is a resident of Tagoorkota village and was arrested from Sudhakonda area.

"The BSF and local police had conducted a joint operation in which we have arrested a Maoist cadre. His name is Singa Kattami alias Mahesh. He was the member of Kalibata Dharma and was engaged in the protection of Udaya," Mohapatra said.

Odisha state government had announced a reward of rupees 1,00,000 on Kattami.

Kattami was a member of the Padia unit local operation squad of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). He worked under the protection Udaya, divisional secretary of Malkangiri Division of CPI (Maoist).