Kerala: Gun Battle Erupts Between Thunderbolt Commandos & Maoists In Wayanad

The Maoists reportedly fired at a specialized 'Thunderbolt' team of Kerala Police during a combing operation in the area, based on intelligence inputs.

Earlier, police reported that 10 Naxalites, including three women, were killed in an encounter with security forces on the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts of Chhattisgarh. (Image for representation)

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The Maoists were engaged in an encounter with Kerala police in a forested area of Wayanad district on Tuesday. According to police sources, the confrontation occurred in the Kambamala forest area of Thalappuzha in the morning. The Maoists reportedly fired at a specialized 'Thunderbolt' team of Kerala Police during a combing operation in the area, based on intelligence inputs.

In response, the security forces retaliated, leading to approximately nine rounds of firing during the encounter, according to a source, who did not provide further details, said a report on PTI.

The exchange of fire occurred a week after a suspected group of four armed Maoists arrived at Kambamala reportedly urging the local population to boycott the Lok Sabha polls scheduled for April 26.

Despite the request by the Maoist team to boycott the polls, several tea plantation workers including Tamil migrants voted at the polling station in Wayanad.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, police reported that 10 Naxalites, including three women, were killed in an encounter with security forces on the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts of Chhattisgarh. The incident marked the second significant setback for the Naxalites within a span of 15 days. In Kanker, 29 Naxals were reportedly gunned down on April 16.

Earlier, another controversy broke out in the south of India. Telangana Minister Seethakka visited the residence of Maoist leader Siripelli Sudhakar (a) Sankaranna who was shot dead in an encounter in Chhattisgarh district. She was accompanied by Jayashankar Bhupalpally MLA Gandra Satyanarayana to visit the family members. 

During the visit, the Congress leaders consoled the family members. On April 16, the wife of Sudhakar, Sumana (a) Rajitha, was also shot dead in an encounter in Chhattisgarh. 

After paying tribute, Seethakka assured that Congress would help the family in all ways.