Group ‘behind’ Chhattisgarh attack The Maoists killed in the encounter are believed to be behind the May 25 attack on a Congress convoy at Darba Ghat in Chhattisgarh, DGP Prakash Mishra said Senior party leaders VC Shukla, Mahendra Karma and 19 others were killed in the ambush

Malkangiri, September 14
At least 13 Maoists, including a woman, were killed in an encounter with security forces in a forest area of Malkangiri district early today. One rebel was captured after the encounter.

The group had been camping in the forest. A joint team of special operations group (SOG) and district voluntary force (DVF) raided a camp site in Silakuta forest in Padia area bordering Chhattisgarh after a tip-off, said DIG Devdutt Singh.

The Maoists opened fire leading to a gun battle, killing 13 members. “The bodies of 13 Maoists were recovered while another rebel was captured by the security personnel after the encounter,” said Malkangiri SP Akhilesh Singh as the police intensified combing operation in the area.

Akhilesh, who led the operation, said explosives, arms and ammunition, and Maoist literature were seized from the scene. The DIG described the operation a major success in the drive against Maoists in the region. — PTI