C'garh: Naxal killed in encounter in Bijapur district

A naxal was killed on Saturday in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police said.

The incident occurred around 8:30 am in a forest near Punnur village, around six kms from Awapalli police station, when a team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on a counter-insurgency operation, Deputy Inspector General (anti- naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI.

The operation was launched from Awapalli, around 450 kms from Raipur, on a specific input about the movement of wanted Maoists divisional commander Nagesh, he said.

"After a brief exchange, ultras escaped from the spot. During a search, the body of a male naxal was found. A .315 bore rifle was recovered from the spot," the DIG said, adding that the identity of the deceased is not established yet.

Reinforcement has been rushed to the spot, he said, adding that further details are awaited.

On late Friday night, two naxals were gunned down in an encounter in Kirandul area of neighbouring Dantewada district.