Maoist leader calls for ceasefire and offers talks with government

Hyderabad: Central paramilitary forces reportedly found several tunnels in Karregutta, which they suspect were used by Maoists to store ammunition, where a massive operation involving about 10,000 security personnel in a hilly region along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border continued for the fifth day on Friday.

According to sources, the Karregutta locality is spread over 70 square kilometres, with more than nine villages and hamlets. “On a specific tip-off, the Central forces from Chhattisgarh, including a special team, initiated a search of the tunnels," the sources said.

It is believed that some 500 Maoist cadres, including top leaders were holed up in the area, and Telangana police are assisting in the exercise, said an official.

Sources stated that key Maoist leaders, who took shelter in Karregutta, have reportedly escaped after the Central forces initiated the combing operation from different routes through the Telangana border. The area is located on the border of Telangana and Chhattisgarh and is accessible from both states.

Meanwhile, 15 security personnel complained of vomiting due to sunstroke. They were air-lifted to a hospital in Bhadrachalam, and their health condition is said to be stable.

In a letter addressed to the Chhattisgarh government and the Central government, purportedly written by Chhattisgarh Maoists leader Rupesh, the Maoists asked the Central forces to maintain a ceasefire and initiate talks with them.

The operation, one of biggest counter-insurgency actions launched in the Bastar region, involves personnel of different units including the District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters and Special Task Force of the Chhattisgarh police, the Central Reserve Police Force and its elite Commando Battalions for Resolute Action (CoBRA).

On Thursday, three women Naxalites were killed in the Karregutta hills, and a huge cache of weapons, explosives and other materials was recovered.