RAIPUR:

Top commander of central committee of Maoist outfit was killed among ten cadres in a fierce encounter with security forces on Thursday in forests of Chhattisgarh’s Gariyaband district. Police officials indicated that the casualties are likely to rise as intermittent firing is underway. Speaking to TOI, Gariyaband SP Nikhil Rakhecha confirmed that ten Maoist bodies were recovered from the site of encounter that includes special zonal committee member and member of Odisha state committee Manoj alias Mardem Balakrishna Bhaskar, who was the top cadre in the group present there. Raipur range inspector general of police Amresh Mishra told TOI, “There is possibility of recovery of more Naxal bodies. It was a big operation launched on Wednesday, with specific intelligence inputs about presence of Maoist commander Manoj along with many senior cadres in forests of Gariyaband.” He indicated other crucial names among those killed. “In a well-planned operation, the district force (E-30), special task force (STF), and elite CoBRA commandos were dispatched late Wednesday, under the monitoring of senior officials, continued through Thursday with intermittent heavy exchange of fire,” IG said, adding that many automatic weapons can be spotted at the site of encounter. Since it is evening coupled with the dense forest, search is still underway, amid risk of IEDs planted by Maoists, the security personnel are being extra careful in their movement and collection of bodies and weapons. While the operation is nearing conclusion, due to the terrain and visibility, retrieval of bodies is difficult. Confirmation of identities may be possible by tomorrow, senior official said, adding that a detailed statement on the outcome of the encounter would be issued after the operation concludes.