Anti-naxal operation underway on Karregutta hillocks

An exchange of fire reportedly took place between Maoists and security forces in Karregutta hillocks on the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. Unconfirmed reports suggest five Maoists were killed. Around 2,000 personnel are conducting a large-scale combing operation in the forest area.

Mulugu: An exchange of fire reportedly took place between Maoists and security forces in the forest villages of Doli-Jella in Karregutta hillocks on the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border in Venkatapuram mandal of the district on Thursday.

According to unconfirmed reports, about five Maoists were killed in the encounter. Though police officials are yet to make an official statement about the operation, it was said that police forces have been conducting a large-scale combing operation in Karregutta for the past few days.

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It is suspected that CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devji and top Maoist leader Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar, along with others, might have taken shelter on the hillocks.

Around 2,000 security personnel from CRPF, CoBRA, Greyhounds and DRG forces have been taking part in the operation. It may be noted that after a decisive raid on Karregutta hillocks a few months ago, the police took control of a major part of the hillocks and set up base camps.