RAIPUR: At least 10 members of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), including a female cadre, were on Tuesday killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces in Bijapur district, about 350 km south of Raipur.
So far, 10 bodies have been recovered. Several other Maoists are suspected to have sustained injuries, said Sundarraj P, Bastar range inspector general of police. Intensive search operation by the security forces continues in the region.
One light machine gun, a Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL), a .303 bore rifle, huge quantities of BGL shells and other ammunition were recovered from the spot.
The exchange of fire took place around 6 am following a tip-off about the presence of senior Left-wing extremist leaders near Lendra-Korcholi forested terrain at Gangaloor police station limit of Bijapur.
The operation was carried out by a joint team of the Bijapur District Reserve Guard, CRPF and its elite CoBRA unit, and Special Task Force. Most of those killed were likely from Platoon No. 2 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army of the Maoists, he added.
Bijapur is part of the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to polls on April 19. Around 80,000 security forces have been deployed for the upcoming polls in Bastar.
Most attacks by Left-wing extremists happen in March-June, when they carry out their ‘Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign’ to regain strength, recruit cadre and mount pressure on the security forces.