SFs gun down Maoist with Rs 8 lakh bounty in Kanker encounter

 

Police and security forces shot dead a Maoist carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh during an encounter in Gedabeda forest of Kanker district on Tuesday. The joint operation involved the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF).

 

Officials confirmed that the Maoist killed in the gunfight was identified as Masa, a member of the PLGA military company number 05. The search team recovered his body along with a .303 rifle, a walkie-talkie set and other Naxal-related items from the spot.

 

The operation began on September 7, when DRG and BSF launched a search in the forests along the Kanker-Narayanpur border. On September 9, the team clashed with Maoists near Gedabeda hill area under Partapur police station limits. After the exchange of fire, forces swept the location and found the slain Maoist.

 

Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P, DIG Amit Tukaram Kamble, DIG BSF Vipul Mohan Bala and Kanker SP I.K. Elesela jointly confirmed the identity of the deceased.

 

IGP Sundarraj said forces continue to operate in hostile terrain and harsh conditions to protect lives and property in Bastar, in line with the intent of the central and state governments. He appealed to Maoist cadres to abandon violence and join the mainstream through the state’s rehabilitation policy, warning that those persisting with unlawful acts would face strict consequences.