Narayanpur(Chhattisgarh), Aug 27(HS): Four Naxals, including three women fighters, were gunned down on Wednesday in a fierce encounter with security forces near the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border in Gadchiroli district.

Confirming the operation, Gadchiroli Additional Superintendent of Police M. Ramesh said that security units received intelligence about the presence of cadres from Gatta Dalam, Company No. 10, and the Gadchiroli division in the dense Koparshi forest area along the Gadchiroli–Narayanpur border. Acting on the inputs, the elite C-60 commando unit of Gadchiroli Police, supported by the CRPF’s Quick Reaction Team, launched a search operation.

Despite heavy rains and difficult terrain, security forces pressed forward when the Maoists suddenly opened fire. A prolonged exchange of fire ensued, lasting nearly eight hours, with intermittent bursts of gunfire reverberating across the forest.

When the firing ceased, the bodies of four Naxals—including three women and one man—were recovered. Their identities are yet to be ascertained. Security forces also seized a cache of arms from the spot, including a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), an INSAS rifle, and a .303 rifle, among other weapons.

A combing operation is still underway in the area to track down the remaining members of the Maoist group.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar