Four Naxalite dead in police encounter on Maharashtra- Chhattisgarh border

Four Naxalites, with a combined bounty of ₹36 lakh on their heads, met their end in an encounter with police forces in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Tuesday, confirmed a senior official.

The operation took place after the police received intelligence on Monday afternoon indicating the entry of Naxalites from neighbouring Telangana into Gadchiroli. Multiple teams including the C-60, a specialised combat unit of the Gadchiroli police, and the Central Reserve Police Force's Quick Action team were deployed for a thorough search operation in the region. The encounter ensued with indiscriminate firing between the two parties.

After the firing stopped, the area was searched and bodies of four male Naxalites were found, he said, adding that they were carrying a collective cash reward of ₹36 lakh on their heads. Among the recovered items were an AK-47 gun, a carbine, two country-made pistols, Naxal literature and other items.

The deceased Naxalites have been identified as Vargeesh, Magtu, both secretaries of different Naxal comittees, and platoon members Kursang Raju and Kudimetta Venkatesh.