A hardcore Naxalite wanted in 20 criminal cases and carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh was killed in a gun battle with the police on Friday in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh.
The gunfight took place around 4 pm between the Maoists and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) in a forest near Etapal village, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tiwari said.
The Naxalites targeted security personnel on a search operation in a forested patch, prompting the DRG to retaliate, the officer said.
After the rebels fled into the forest, a search of the area led to the body of Rakesh alias Madvi Kosa, the Katekalyan area committee member of the outlawed Maoist movement.
As many as 20 cases were registered against Kosa and he carried a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, Tiwari said.
