Raipur: Two naxals were gunned down and three others arrested on Friday following a fierce gun-battle between the Maoists and security forces in restive Abhujmad area of Chhattisgarh' Narayanpur district. Police team also recovered a huge cache of weapons from the encounter spot, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, SRP Kalluri said.
"The skirmish took place between a joint team of security forces and the rebels in the dense forests of Kutul village," Kalluri told PTI.
The IG said the security forces in the Bastar division were directed to plan their strategy to take on the ultras who usually start their Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) in January.
"As a part of the plan, combined parties of state's District Reserve Group (DRG), district forces and paramilitaries under the supervision of Narayanpur SP Abhishek Meena had launched an operation in Abujhmad area to intercept and neutralise naxals.
"They were given the target of Kutul that is in the heart of Maad area considered as an undeclared capital of naxals," he said.
While security personnel were cordoning off a forest access on the border of Narayanpur and Orchha police station limits, a huge contingent of Maoists opened indiscriminate firing on them, ensuing a heavy gun-battle that lasted for around two hours, the IG added.
He said the naxals beat a retreat after security personnel started closing in.
"Later, bodies of two rebels were recovered while conducting a search at the place," the officer said, adding three rebels were caught after a short chase.
He said seven firearms, including a .303 rifle and six .315 rifles, besides Naxal-related material was recovered from the spot. The identity of killed and arrested Maoists will be known once the security teams return to their camps, the IG added.
