Naxalite fighter killed in gunfight with police

A police patrol team killed a Naxalite fighter in the forests of Dhamtari district after an exchange of gunfire on Monday.

Dhamtari (Chhattisgarh):A Naxal rebel was gunned down by security forces on Monday in the forest along the border of Gariyaband-Dhamtari districts in Chhattisgarh.

The deceased Naxalite has been identified as Ravi Sannu of Dantewada area. The spot of the encounter is some 100 kilometres from the state capital Raipur.

According to sources, a gunfight took place with the ultras at around 10:30 pm in the jungles near Goragaon village when District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) personnel were out on an operation.

When the patrolling team was advancing through the forest, an exchange of fire broke out between the two sides. After guns fell silent, the body of the Naxal and a weapon were recovered from the spot, sources said.

Reportedly, Sannu was an active member of the Gobra LOS (local organisation squad) of Maoists. A search operation was underway in the area.