Security forces eliminate 31 Naxals in C'garh encounter

Two jawans also killed; 81 Naxalites gunned down in separate encounters in state so far this year

- AGENCIES

Thirty one Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of the National Park area in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, officials said on Sunday. Police during the operation recovered weapons and explosives from the area.

According to Bastar police officials, the encounter broke out in the forests on Sunday morning. "31 Naxalites were killed in the encounter in the National Park area of Bijapur district," Bastar IG P Sundarraj said.

"Two jawans, including one from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the other from Special Task Force (STF), lost their lives, while two others were injured in the gunfight," he said.

The condition of both injured jawans was said to be stable.