Daijiworld Media Network – Shimoga (SP)

Shimoga, Jan 7: On Friday January 6 evening, the naxals engaged Anti Naxal Force (ANF) personnel in an exchange of fire in Barkana Falls region near Agumbe in the district.

The ANF team, which was combing the area, found from a distance that smoke was emanating from a secluded place. They marched towards that area. It is said that a naxal on sentry duty for the gang, who noticed the policemen from a distance, opened fire. The group immediately vanished, taking advantage of pitch dark conditions. The policemen continued to follow the trail of the gang, but the gang, which had reached the bottom of the falls by then, fired at the policemen. The policemen fired 30 rounds towards the gang, but so far there is no information of any injury or death of any naxals.

The policemen, who had gathered information that naxals had been frequenting villages like Mallandur, Agasarakone, Tallur Angadi etc of late, had visited the area and begun scouting for the naxals. They also questioned some villagers, but could not elicit any important information, it is gathered. During their combing operation, they suddenly came across the gang.

It is suspected that the gang the policemen encountered is the one which tortured and eliminated Sadashiva Gowda from Kabbinale. The policemen suspect that the gang, which is led by Vikram Gowda, took Someshwara route to reach Agumbe. The ANF is likely to intensify its operations by reinforcing the strength of its contingents, which have been deputed to comb Western Ghats.