Daijiworld Media Network - Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli, May 23: In a fierce gunbattle along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, four Maoists were neutralised by the elite C-60 commandos and the CRPF in a joint anti-Naxal operation in Gadchiroli district, a senior official confirmed on Friday.

Acting on credible intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoist formations near a recently established Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Kawande area, the massive operation was launched on Thursday afternoon.

Over 300 C-60 commandos from a dozen units, supported by CRPF personnel, moved out from Kawande and Nelgunda areas and advanced towards the banks of the Indravati river, braving heavy rainfall, the statement said.

On Friday morning, as security forces laid a cordon and began search operations, Maoists opened indiscriminate fire, prompting a strong retaliation from the security personnel. The intermittent exchange of fire lasted for nearly two hours, according to officials.

Following the encounter, security forces recovered the bodies of four Maoists along with a cache of arms and items, including an automatic self-loading rifle, two .303 rifles, a Bharmar gun, walkie-talkies, camping materials, and Naxal literature.

This encounter in Maharashtra follows the massive anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh, where 27 Maoists, including top leader Basavaraju, were killed just two days ago.

The successful joint operation marks yet another significant blow to Left-Wing Extremism in the region, reinforcing the state's commitment to restoring peace and security in Maoist-affected zones.