10 Maoists die in Sukma gunfight, toll 207 this year | India News

RAIPUR: Ten Maoists, including three women, were shot dead by security forces in Bastar’s Sukma on Friday. This is the biggest encounter since the Oct 3 gunfight in which 38 Maoists were killed. The Maoist death toll this year has now risen to 207, this week alone accounting for 15 deaths.
An AK-47, an Insas rifle and an SLR were among 10 arms seized on Friday. Maoists’ South Bastar division ‘military in-charge’, Madkam Masa, who carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh, was eliminated. Five other cadres were identified as divisional ‘small action team’ commander Lakhma Madvi, who had a Rs 5 lakh bounty, platoon 4 member Doodhi Hungi, and cadres Madkam Jitu, Madkam Kosi and Kovasi Kesa, who carried bounties of Rs 2 lakh each.
Four dead Maoists are yet to be identified. Bastar range IG P Sundarraj said the operation was planned on inputs that Maoists were on the move in Bhandarpadar region.
Troops from CRPF and DRG set out to intercept the Maoists in a three-pronged move. A day ago, Odisha police had intercepted a group in Malkangiri trying to cross over to Sukma. One Maoist was killed and other cadres scattered.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said: “Our govt’s priority is progress and security in Bastar.”