Telangana: Naxal killed in encounter on Kothagudem-Mulugu border

Deceased said to be Ashok of Buddharam village in Ghanpur mandal of Mulugu district.

Kothagudem: A naxal was killed in an alleged exchange of fire between police and Maoists in the forests on the borders of Kothagudem-Mulugu districts on Thursday.

The incident occurred when Greyhounds forces and special party personnel were carrying out combing operations in Damaratogu-Rangapuram in Gundala mandal in the district. The deceased naxal was said to be Nallamuri Ashok alias Vijender (34) of Buddharam village in Ghanpur mandal of Bhupalpally district. Bhupalpally MLA Gandra Satyanarayana Rao hails from the same village.

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Two firearms recovered, combing operations on: SP

Superintendent of Police B Rohith Raju in a statement informed that police had launched combing operations following a tip off that Maoists Bhadru and Lachanna and 15 others of Kothagudem area committee were moving in Damaratogu, Gundala, Karakagudem and Tadwai forest areas with weapons, threatening businessmen, farmers and contractors to give money to the Maoist party.

At around 10 am, the Maoists suddenly opened fire on the police forces in Damaratogu forest area. Then police warned them to surrender but they fired heavily with the intention of killing the policemen, who were compelled to retaliate.

After firing from Maoists side stopped, the area was searched and the body of a man in olive green clothes, .303 and SLR weapons, ammunition, revolutionary literature and other items were recovered. The search operation was on to nab the escaped Maoists, the SP added.Maoists condemn encounter

Responding to the incident, Bhadradri Kothagudem-Alluri Sitaramaraju Division secretary Azad held Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and MLAs as responsible for the encounter. Revanth Reddy, who came to power with a promise to protect democracy, had colluded with the Centre to eliminate the revolutionaries, who were working for the people, he alleged.

According to sources, Maoist action teams led by DVCMs Lachanna and Bhadru had entered the border districts in Telangana and were scouting for safe zones suitable to provide them shelter..