Udupi: Naxal leader Vikram Gowda, wanted for 20 years, was killed in an encounter with the Anti-Naxal Force on Monday night in Karnataka's Udupi district, police sources said.
The encounter took place in the Peetabailu area of Hebri Kabvinale village in Karkala taluk. Hebri Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Mahesh TM confirmed that Gowda was killed in an encounter.
"The deceased Vikram Gowda was a most-wanted Naxal from Kudlu village in Nadralu, Hebri taluk. Acting on a tip-off about Naxal movement in the area, the ANF (Anti-Naxal Force) police team launched an armed operation late Monday night and targeted the Naxals," the officer said.
"Vikram Gowda is a Naxal who was escaping from police for 20 years. Police were trying to capture him at any cost. Last week, two other naxals named Raju and Latha were spotted and on further information, police went searching for more. Once they (naxals) saw the police, they started firing and the police had to encounter them. A more detailed report is awaited," Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara said.
"Vikram Gowda had been leading the Naxalite operations in south India for over two decades. He had taken shelter in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and had visited Kodagu (Karnataka) many times," an official said.
The ANF had launched an intense combing operation as the movement of Naxalites was suspected in the Hebri area for the past few days. An ANF team conducted an operation when a group of 5 Naxalites came to collect rations near Peetha Bailu late Monday night. Vikram Gowda was killed in the exchange of fire, Police sources informed.
The remaining four escaped into the forest. The combing is continuing and the search is on for the others. (With agency inputs)
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