8 Maoists killed in Bastar encounter

Bhopal: At least eight Maoists, including five women, were on Friday killed in an encounter with security forces in Ipenta forest in Chhattisgarh’s south Bastar district of Bastar.

According to Chhattisgarh DGP (anti-Naxal operation) D.M. Awasthi, the encounter took place when a joint search party comprising personnel of Greyhounds, counter-the insurgency wing of the Telangana police, and Chhattisgarh police was attacked in the forest by armed guerrillas.

“The joint operation was launched on Monday last following inputs on the presence of Ma-oists in the jungle. Eight rebels were gunned down and the casualties among the Naxals may go up,” Mr Awasthi said.

This was one of the worst reverses suffered by Maoists in Bastar in recent times.