Bijapur encounter: Toll rises to 18 as bodies of 6 more Naxalites recovered

THREE DRG JAWANS DIED IN THE GUN BATTLE

- MPOST BUREAU

Six more bodies of Naxalites have been recovered following an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, taking the toll of cadres killed in the gun battle to 18, officials said on Thursday.

Three personnel of the District Reserve Guard, a unit of the state police, were also killed in the gunfight which took place on Wednesday.

Following a prolonged intermittent exchange of fire that lasted for around 12 hours, bodies of 12 Naxalites were recovered till late Wednesday evening, Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P said.

Six more bodies were found till Thursday morning during a search in the area. With this, the toll of Naxalites killed in the encounter has gone up to 18, he said, adding that the search operation was still underway in the area.