5 Maoists Gunned Down in Encounter at Bijapur

Five Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday, officials said, adding that several weapons and ammunition were seized from the spot.

- Ritesh Mishra

BIJAPUR:

The encounter, which took place in the Indravati National Park under the Manded police station area, involved a joint team of security personnel from the district reserve guard (DRG) and special task force (STF), the officials said.

"Five bodies have been recovered so far and the combing of the area is still going on," Bastar range inspector general of police (IGP) Sunderraj P said, adding that the bodies are yet to be identified.

Officials received information about the presence of Maoists in Bandepara-Koranjed forest on Saturday, Sunderraj said. The joint team of security personnel located the Maoists in the forest on Sunday morning, the IG said, adding that an exchange of fire took place between the security personnel and the Maoists.