Telangana: Six Maoists killed in encounter in Karregutta forests

Police were yet to confirm the death of naxals while the number of casualties on the naxal side might increase as the security forces launched a massive offensive against Maoists as part of ‘Operation Kagar’. Search operations were going on in the forests of Karregutta for the past three days.

Mulugu: As many as six Maoists were killed in an encounter on Thursday on the hillocks of Karregutta spread over Telangana and Chhattisgarh States.

Police were yet to confirm the death of naxals while the number of casualties on the naxal side might increase as the security forces launched a massive offensive against Maoists as part of ‘Operation Kagar’. Search operations were going on in the forests of Karregutta for the past three days.

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Over 10, 000 paramilitary forces including Greyhounds of Telangana, Bastar fighters of Chhattisgarh and C-60 force of Maharashtra were said to be involved in the anti-naxal operations. Base camps were being set up near the hillocks of Karregutta for logistic support to the security forces.

Dog squads, unmanned drones and Indian Air Force helicopters were being used for surveillance of the area. Bastar range IP Sundarraj P, CRPF IG (Chhattisgarh) Rakesh Agarwal and senior officials were said to be monitoring the operation.

The most wanted Maoist Hidma and a large number of naxals reportedly took shelter on Karregutta hillocks that were considered a safe zone for Maoists. Given the challenging geographic conditions in Karregutta forests the security forces might have a tough time in carrying out the operation.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Multi Zone-I, S Chandrashekhar Reddy speaking to the media at Warangal police commissionerate said that the ongoing anti-naxal operation in Karregutta forests was being carried out by Chhattisgarh police and CRPF. There was no involvement of Telangana, no police or greyhounds, he said.