The gunfight took place in a forest near Hidur village under Chhotebethiya police station. (Image for representational purpose)
Credit: PTI File Photo
Bhopal: A police constable Ramesh Kureti (25) was killed during face-off with Maoists in Kanker district on Sunday morning.
Besides, one Naxalite attired in uniform and identified as Nagesh Usendi (35) was also gunned down in retaliatory firing (same operation) by the police.
Police claimed to have recovered one AK-47 assault rifle from the spot.
The encounter took place under Chote Bethia police station, some 200 kms from the district headquarters while the police patrolling team were conducting a search operation. Martyred soldier was a member of newly raised battalion ‘Bastar Fighter’ and reportedly the first casualty from it.
On a tip off over Maoists presence in Hindur forest area, the joint team of BSF, DRG and district police were alerted and despatched. The Maoists launched an ambush attack on a police team leaving one dead while they (police) were advancing towards Narayanpur forest area.
Meanwhile in retaliatory firing by police one Maoists attired in uniform was also killed. Later police recovered two dead bodies, one of constable and Naxalite from the spot. AK-47 and other items of daily use were also recovered from the spot, confirmed police sources.
ASP Kanker Avinash Thakur said the body of the martyred soldier and the Naxalite was brought to Bande police station from the encounter site. A huge quantity of daily use items and other material recovered from the encounter site during search operation on Sunday. The Naxalite identified as Nagesh Udendi was commander of LOS (local organisation squad) and carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh. There is however an unconfirmed report that 2 more Naxalites were killed in a face-off but their bodies pulled away by fellow Maoists. Police search was underway, informed Thakur.
Police upping its ante against Maoists is continuously conducting anti-Naxal operations in Bastar region. On February 25, three Maoists were killed during a face-off with security forces in Hurtarai forest area..