2 Naxals gunned down in encounter, 1 held

Two Naxals, including a commander rank cadre, were today gunned down and another rebel arrested after a fierce encounter between Maoists and security forces in Chhattisgarh's Kondagaon district, police said.
The skirmish took place between a team of District Reserve Group (DRG) and rebels in the dense forests of Kudhur village under Mardapal police station limits, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, S R P Kalluri told PTI.
The security forces in Bastar division were directed to plan strategy to take on the ultras, who usually start their Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) in January during which they step up their activities, he said.

"As per the operational plan, a DRG team of 35 personnel set off from Kondagaon towards interior of Mardapal on January 3. While the party was returning, the Maoists laid an ambush and fired upon the DRG in Kudhur jungles prompting security forces to retaliate," he said.
On finding security personnel zeroing in on them, the ultras fled from thespot.
Later, during a search of the place, bodies of two rebels clad in 'uniform' were recovered, he said.

Meanwhile a rebel, Jai Singh, member of Kudhur LOS (local operation squad), was also arrested after a short chase while he was trying to flee from the spot, he said.

The killed Maoists were identified as Jati Ram, commander of Kudhur LOS of Maoists, and Holdhar Kashyap, a member of the outfit, he said.
Two muzzle loading guns and a country-made gun were also recovered from the spot, he added.