Slain naxal was 'commander-rank' cadre carrying Rs 10-L reward

The naxal, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Chhattisgarh' Bastar district yesterday, has been identified as a senior commander-rank cadre carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, police said today.
"The deceased was today identified as Mahesh, section commander of military company no. 06 of PLGA (peoples' liberation guerilla army) of Maoists. He was carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head," Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Vivekanand Sinha told PTI.
The body of the naxal clad in 'uniform' was recovered after an exchange of fire between a joint team of Special Task Force (STF) and District Reserve Group (DRG) and ultras in Ranidongri-Rakasmetta forests under Kaknar Police Station area on late Thursday afternoon, the IG said.

One SLR weapon was also recovered from the slain naxal.
Besides, one STF constable had also suffered a bullet injury in the face-off and was admitted to Raipur, where he is said to be recovering well, the IG said.
"A few more naxals might have got killed in the encounter and a search operation is being carried out in the nearby areas," he said.
According to Sinha, the incident was "yet another blow" to the Maoists in past about one month.
"On May 14 this year, Vilas, a divisional committee member of East Bastar Division of Maoist was gunned down by police in Burgum police station area of Bastar district," he said.