Combing operation continues in Gadchiroli: Bodies of 11 Maoists recovered floating on Indravati River, Death toll touches 33

Gadchiroli, April 24: In the biggest blow ever to the Maoism in Maharashtra, today security forces have recovered 11 more bodies of suspected Naxalists from Indravati River in Gadchiroli district. The mission of eliminating Naxalists in still on in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra Police is leaving no stone unturned to fight ‘Maoism’. Till now death toll has touched to 33 after the bodies, were found floating on the banks of the river which flows along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh borders.

These 11 Maoists are believed to be from among those who managed to escape to the forests during a gunfight with security forces on Sunday. They must have succumbed to their injuries, a police official said.

Searching and combing operations in the entire Gadchiroli district continues in the jungles, villages, hills and valleys to track and snuff out the Maoists from their hideouts.

Today early in the morning 6 Maoists were killed in an encounter that took place between Damrancha and Rajaram Khanla in Gadchiroli.

On Monday, around 14 including 2 top divisional commanders were laid down to deathbed in an encounter led by C-60 Commandos Forces of Gadchiroli.

Maharashtra Police termed the operation as the most successful one by any force in Dandakaranya — the liberated zone comprising of Naxal affected districts in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Ankush Shinde of Gadchiroli range had confirmed the casualties.

He further said a team of C-60 commandos, a specialized combat unit of the Gadchiroli police, carried out the operation. “Fourteen Naxals were killed in the encounter. The combing operations are still on,” said Inspector General of Police Sharad Shelar.

He said the combing operation, which started in the morning, was currently underway at Tadgaon forest in Bhamragad, around 750 kilometres from Mumbai. Director General of Police Satish Mathur congratulated the C-60 team which participated in the encounter.

“In an operation in Kasanasur jungle area bordering Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, an exchange of fire took place between C-60 commandos and Maoists. During searches, more than 12 Naxals’ dead bodies have been recovered from the spot. Further searches are going on at the site,” Mathur said.

The DGP said there was a possibility that Naxal leaders of “DVC ranks,” Sainath and Sinu alias Srikant, were among those killed. “This is the biggest success ever in the Dandakaranya area by any anti-Naxal force. There are no major injuries on our side. The police parties are still in operation. More details are awaited. The count may go up,” he said.

Earlier this year, 17 Maoists were gunned down by the cops. On April 3, Sunil Kulmethe, a member of the South Gadchiroli Division was shot dead by the police in Sironcha Rahul region. In 2017, a total number of 19 Naxalites were killed in an encounter region at Gadchiroli.