Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (SP)

Chikmagalur, May 16: A gang of naxals was sighted on Wednesday May 15 morning in Kere gram panchayat limits near Sringeri in the district. A member of the Anti Naxal Force (ANF) was engaged in an exchange of fire with the naxal unit. An ANF constable suffered injury in the gun battle. He has been identified as Girish.

Girish was provided first aid at the government hospital in Sringeri before being moved to Manipal Hospital.

Reportedly, the gang of four naxals visited the house of a farmer in Muduba village at around 8 pm on Tuesday, collected some cereals from the family, and left at about 1 am on Wednesday. The ANF personnel, who gathered information about the naxal movement, began search operation within Kere gram panchayat limits on Wednesday morning. A gang of eight naxals confronted the jeep-borne ANF contingent near Heggane Estate and began firing at them. The ANF personnel retaliated. The exchange of fire continued for about half an hour, after which the naxals disappeared into the thick forests, sources said.

Alerted by the incident, the local policemen along with ANF members have begun a combing operation in the area, which falls on the border of the district with Dakshina Kannada. Vehicles moving about in the area also being checked, as the naxals have given an indication that they have again been active in the district after a protracted lull.