A hardcore Naxalite carrying a cash reward of Rs 8 lakh on his head was killed on Saturday in a gun battle between security forces and Maoists in a forested patch in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police said.
“The encounter happened between Kutru and Ketulnar in the Kutur police station limits around 4:30 pm,” Bijapur Superintendent of Police Kamlochan Kashyap said in a press release.
A joint team of Bijapur DRG (district reserve guard) and police launched an anti-Naxalite operation from Kutur police station, about 440 km south of Raipur, he said.
During the drive, the police force had a face-off with Maoists which resulted in fighting. Soon the Maoists disappeared into the jungle. While searching the spot, the police found the body of a Maoist identified as Saybo alias Ranu.
Ranu was commander of the Maoist Farsegarh Action Squad and Deputy Commander of Farsegarh LOS (local operating squad), the officer added.
Pistol rounds, arrow bombs and daily use items were found at the spot. Ranu carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh, he said, adding a search operation was on in Kutru.
Ranu was wanted in about a dozen violent crimes.
