Purulia (WB): Two Maoists were killed in
a fierce exchange of fire between the joint security forces
and the ultras in the Ayodhya hills in Purulia district on Friday.
DSP Rajesh Jadav said bodies of two Maoists were found
after a 12-hour encounter at Bamni jungle in the hills.
"We have also recovered two rifles from them and are
trying to verify if these were looted from the police. We will
continue our operation," Jadav said.
Unconfirmed reports, however, said four extremists
were killed in the encounter and three taken into custody.
IGP (western range) Zulfiqar Hasan refused to divulge
anything about the encounter except that it started when the
forces encircled the forests during a combing operation,
forcing the Maoists to open fire.
Four cowherds, suspected to be abducted by some men in
olive green uniform last evening from Bhuda village in Arsa
area, returned after 24 hours.
They said an armed group of 20 uniformed people wanted
directions to the forest route last evening, but left them at
a nearby village.
The police has not identified the abductors.
A Jhargram report quoting the police said a PCPA
leader was arrested and several explosives were seized today
after an operation by joint forces in the Maoist-affected West
Midnapore district.
Following a tip-off, the security forces launched an
attack at Purnapani. After a brief exchange of fire, they
nabbed Anadi Bhuyian, a member of the Maoists-backed PCPA who
was wanted in six cases.
Some detonators, 26 gelatine sticks and two mines were
seized during the operation, the police said.
24 villagers were also detained by the police.
PTI
