Raipur: Naxal killed in an encounter

Raipur: A naxal was today gunned down in an exchange of fire with security forces in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said. The skirmish took place this morning near Ponga Bhejji village when a joint team of Special Task Force (STF) and district force was out on an anti-Maoist operation in Dornapal police station area, Sukma Superintendent of Police Indira Kalyan Elesela told PTI. Based on specific inputs that Kerlapal Area Committee of Maoists had planned to carry out an attack on security forces, the composite squad involving 70 personnel launched the operation from Dornapal to the interior forest last night, the SP said. While security forces were advancing to Ponga Bhejji village, located around 450 km away from here this morning, a group of armed rebels opened fire on them following which a gun-battle broke out between both the sides, he added. However, ultras soon escaped into the dense forests, he said. "During searches, the body of a male Maoist clad in a 'uniform' was recovered along with one automatic pistol and one muzzle loading gun," the SP said. The identity of the Maoist is yet to be established as operation is still underway in the region, he added.