4 women Maoists gunned down by security forces

Malkangiri: At least four women Maoists were killed and a top Maoist leader injured in a gun battle with security forces in Gajiraj forest in insurgency-hit Sukma district close to Malkangiri-Chhattisgarh border on Sunday morning.

According to sources, the operation was conducted jointly by Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Group from Dantewada district and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the forests of Gadiras police limits.

While cordoning off the forests on top of the Nagalguda Pahad (hill) at around 5 AM, the security forces spotted the Maoist hideout and started encircling the area. Sensing their presence, some of the armed cadres opened indiscriminate fire at them to which the latter retaliated.

During the two-hour cross-firing, the Maoists managed to flee the area leaving behind their belongings.

Later, the security personnel, during search operation, found the bullet-ridden bodies of four women ultras. Besides they also seized a 303 rifle, two 12-bore rifles and some Maoists articles from the spot.

In another incident, the SOG personnel during a combing operation inside Tekaguda forest in Malkangiri, seized a huge cache of arms and explosives. However, top Maoist leader Uday managed to escape during the combing operation.

The search operation was on till reports last came in.