THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Bijapur, April 2: During an encounter between Naxalites and security personnel in the Bijapur area on Tuesday, nine Naxals were shot dead and several firearms were found in their possession.
Following a joint search operation by the District Reserve Group (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) that started on Monday night from the Gangalur police station area, the encounter broke out at approximately 6 in the morning on Tuesday in Lendra village in Bijapur, according to police.
Bastar IG Sundarraj stated that the operation occurred following a tip-off regarding the presence of a senior Naxal figure known as Papa Rao, who has a bounty of over Rs 40 lakh on his head.
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He mentioned that following the cessation of gunfire, the bodies of four Naxalites were found at the location.
He mentioned that a light machine gun (LMG), along with barrel grenade launchers (BGL) and various other weapons and ammunition, were found at the location.
The IG later confirmed the discovery of additional bodies at the site of the encounter, stating that the search operation in the area was ongoing.
According to the police, the recent event brings the total number of Naxalite casualties to 41 this year in various encounters with security forces in the Bastar region, which encompasses seven districts including Bijapur.
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