Gadchiroli anti-Naxal operation: Seven Maoists killed, injured jawan dies
Another jawan suffered bullet injuries and airlifted to Bhamragadnger, sources said.
Picture from Gadchiroli, where ongoing anti-Naxal operation along the Maharashtra–Chhattisgarh border claimed life of a Jawan and two Maoists were killed. (Express Photo) Seven Maoists were killed in the ongoing anti-Naxal operations on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in Gadchiroli, the police said on Friday, adding that a C-60 jawan, who was injured on Thursday, succumbed to his injuries.
One of the slain Maoists has been identified as Prabhakar, a resident of Kamareddy in Telangana, who was the incharge of Gadchiroli Division Committee, incharge of West Sub Zonal Bureau and also the incharge of Coy No 10 of CPI (Maoist). Prabhakar carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh. Six other hardcore Maoists were also neutralised in the exchange of fire with Gadchiroli Police.
On Friday, four more bodies of Maoists (2 men and 2 women) were retrieved from the area during the search operation, apart from the three bodies found till late Thursday. Total seven bodies (of four men and three women) were retrieved during the operations along with three AK-47 rifles, one SLR and one .303 rifle till the end of operations on Friday. The identity of the remaining Maoists is yet to be established.
Martyred Police constable Deepak Chinna Madavi
Meanwhile, an injured jawan, Deepak Chinna Madavi, 38, a resident of Aheri, was airlifted from inside the forests in Abujhmad early Friday morning and taken to the nearest sub-district hospital in Bhamragad, but he succumbed to his injuries. He will be cremated on Saturday at his native village with full honours.
Another jawan, Joga Madavi, a resident of Kishtyapalli, also suffered bullet injuries on Thursday night. He was evacuated and airlifted to Bhamragad, where he is said to be out of danger. He will be shifted to Gadchiroli shortly, sources said.
Talking to The Indian Express on Thursday, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal had said, “Operation is ongoing deep into Abujhmad on Narayanpur border for the past three days for the last remaining cadres. Search operations will continue in the area.”
The Gadchiroli police launched the anti-Maoist operation on the night of February 3, following intelligence inputs about the presence of cadres of Coy No 10 and an unidentified Maoist formation from Chhattisgarh. The operation began along the Narayanpur-Gadchiroli district border, a few kilometres from Phodewada village, and involved 14 C-60 units led by the sub-divisional police officer of Bhamragad.
On Tuesday, security forces and Maoists exchanged fire for some time during the day. During search operations, two Maoist camps were busted, and a large quantity of Naxal-related material was seized. However, the police said that Maoists managed to evade capture due to the hostile terrain and dense forest cover in the area.
On Wednesday morning, the cordon was strengthened with the induction of four additional C-60 units and one Quick Action Team of the Central Reserve Police Force.
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