Security forces gun down one Maoist in Chhattisgarh

Security forces killed one Maoist on Thursday, following a fierce gun-battle in Kurcholi forest area of Chhattisgarh.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Bijapur district Vivek Shukla said acting on tip of intelligence, a joint combing operation of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police was carried out and the Maoists were located, which resulted in the gun battle.

"The face off took place between the ultras and security forces in the forests of Kurcholi hills under Gangalur police station limits late last night and during the search operation we recovered a 12 bore gun, a country made pistol, hand grenade, 315 bore rounds and large quantity of arms and ammunition from the place," Shukla said.

On seeing the police-team approaching their hideout, the Maoists opened fire on the authorities, following which they retaliated, leaving a Maoist dead.

A large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter spot while some injured Maoists managed to escape.

The Maoists, who are considered to be India's greatest internal security threat, have off-late intensified their operations in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and some areas of West Bengal.