12 Maoists Killed in Encounter in Chhattisgarh, 2 Security Personnel Injured

Raipur: At least a dozen Maoists were slain and two security personnel were injured in an over eight-hour-long encounter in the jungles of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh.

With this, the number of Maoists killed has crossed 100 this year.

This encounter took place in a forest near Pedia village under Gangaloor police station, about 10km from the spot where security forces killed 13 Maoists on April 2.

This major operation involved a joint team of around 800 state police personnel, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), special task force (STF), and Bastariya Batallion, as well as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite guerrilla unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA).

Twelve bodies of Maoists were recovered from the encounter site and a combing operation continues in the area.

The encounter took place three days after polling for all 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh ended on May 7.

At least 12 weapons including a Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL) launcher, a 12 bore rifle and some muzzle-loading rifles were seized from the spot.

The two security personnel injured during the encounter were admitted to Bijapur district hospital.