"bijapur-naxal-encounter"

The killed naxalites have been identified as Haldar, a dreaded Maoist commander and member of the east Bastar division of Maoists, and Rame, an area committee member. Haldar and Rame carried rewards of Rs 8 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, on their heads

Gunfight broke out around 9 am in forest of south Bijapur when security personnel were on an anti-Naxalite operation

The gunfight broke out in the Indravati National Park area when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation

Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, who hails from Jammu, was taken captive by the Naxals during the ambush in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur.

Their supreme sacrifices will not go in vain. The country will always remember their sacrifice for taking this battle to a "decisive turn", he said.

"Seven injured security personnel who were shifted to Raipur are out of danger. 21 personnel are missing and rescue teams are searching for them," Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel told.

Five security personnel were killed and around 30 sustained injuries in the encounter in Bijapur on Saturday, Chhattisgarh Police said.