Top Naxal leaders among 21 killed in encounter

“Two senior commandos of Greyhounds, AP’s elite anti-Naxal force, were also injured in the exchange of fire and airlifted to Visakhapatnam for treatment. Sources said Ravi alias Uday and Chalapati, two high-ranking Maoists leaders, were suspected to be among those killed in the encounter that occurred during a routine combing operation being jointly carried out by police of both the states at Ramgurha in Malkangiri district of Odisha. The two were carrying a reward of Rs 20 lakh each on their heads. One Munna, son of Maoist top leader Ramakrishna, was also said to be among the casualties. Besides 15 men, some women Maoists were also said to be among those killed in the face-off which lasted for almost an hour early this morning.  When asked about this, a top-ranking police official said ‘it could be’ but did not wish to comment further. 

Police recovered four AK-47 rifles from the scene of the encounter, where a Maoist den was also found. “A large haul of weapons like AK47s and self-loading rifles (SLRs) indicates clearly that it is a case where state level leaders could be present. Unless we identify them, we can’t exactly tell who is there,” Andhra Pradesh DGP (in charge) N Sambasiva Rao said. 

“It was a joint operation by AP and Odisha security forces. Police special parties were attacked with AK-47 rifles, SLRs and other weapons and this is what happened when they acted in self-defence,” Sambasiva Rao said. “We are more interested in evacuating the police force and special parties and Naxals if anybody is injured,” the DGP (in charge) added.