Bhubaneswar: At least 29 Maoists including a top commander were killed in a fierce gunfire by the joint team of security forces in a dense forest under Chhottebetiya PS limit area in Kanker District, national media reported.
The slain commander identified as Shankar Rao was carrying a reward of Rs 25 lakhs on his head, according to national media reports.
Three jawans also sustained injuries in the encounter, reports added.
The operation was carried out by a joint team of the BSF and DRG near the Binagunda-Koragutta forest area in Kanker.
“On April 16, 2024, a joint search team comprising of Kanker DRG and BSF was launched for searching operations in the Chhottebetiya PS limit area in Kanker District,” police stated.
After the encounter, the forces searched the area and recovered a huge cache of AK 47 rifles, INSAS/SLR/Carbine/303 rifles and huge quantities of arms ammunition.
Chhattisgarh police said the number of fatalities could go up as the search operation is still underway in the densely forested area.
