THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kanker, April 16: In the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, up to 18 Maoists (Naxals) were killed in a shootout with security personnel, the Border Security Force (BSF) reported on Tuesday.
The BSF and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) jointly launched a coordinated strike in the Binagunda region, which is under the jurisdiction of the Chotebetiya police station in Kanker, based on particular intelligence inputs.
A prominent Naxal leader Shankar Rao who had a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head was also killed in the encounter.
A spokesperson for the BSF stated that during the operation, which is still ongoing, BSF operatives encountered gunfire from CPI Maoist cadres. In response, BSF troops effectively retaliated. One BSF personnel sustained a bullet injury to the leg but has since been evacuated and is in stable condition.
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“Operation is still in progress, and until now, bodies of 18 CPI Maoist cadres who have been neutralised have been recovered from the place of occurrence,” he added.
The official mentioned that three security personnel sustained injuries in the encounter, but their conditions are stable, and they are not in danger.
Search operations in the area are currently underway.
An official stated that three light machine guns and seven AK series rifles were also recovered.
