CoBRA commando, policeman killed in encounter with Naxals in J'khand

A CoBRA commando of the CRPF and a policeman were killed during an encounter with Naxals in Jharkhand's Saraikela area today, officials said.

The gunbattle began around 7 am in the Dalbhaga-Arki area of Saraikela-Kharsawan district when a joint team of the 209th Battalion of the CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) and the Jharkhand Police was out for an operation, they said.

Commando Utpal Rabha (27), hailing from Meghalaya's North Garo Hills district, was killed during the encounter, while a state police personnel succumbed to injuries, they said.

The encounter took place in Saraikela, the administrative headquarter of Saraikela- Kharsawan district, around 135 km from the state capital, the officials said.

Heavy firing is still on and further details are awaited, they said.