8 Maoists killed in gunfight in Bastar; weapons recovered

Security forces shot dead at least eight Maoists in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh on Saturday, officials aware of the matter said, taking the number of rebels killed in the state this year to 55 amid an uptick in anti-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) operations.

- Ritesh Mishra

RAIPUR:

The gunfight broke out in the morning after a joint team of the Chhattisgarh police's District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force (STF) and CRPF's COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) commandos launched a search operation in the jungles falling under the Gangaloor police station area of Bijapur district.

"The bodies of eight Naxals have been recovered from the spot. Many more ultras have either been killed or injured. The operation at the site is still underway. We have recovered an Insas rifle, a barrel grenade launcher and other weapons from the spot," inspector general of police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said.