Woman naxalite killed in gun battle with police

Raipur: A woman naxalite was shot dead in a fierce gun battle with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district during an operation which led to the rescue of some villagers held hostage by the ultras, police said today.

The armed exchange took place between a joint team of security personnel and the ultras in Chandameta village forest under Darbha police station limits last night, Bastar's Additional Superintendent of Police, Vijay Pandey, told PTI.

Acting on a specific input about some people from Kandanar village being held hostage by Naxals inside the forest, the joint squad of state police's District Reserve Group (DRG) and CRPF was dispatched to carry out searches late last evening, the ASP said.

While they were cordoning off the forest area near Chandameta, which is located around 400km away from the state capital, the exchange took place between the security forces and a group of armed rebels.

Engaged by the security forces and finding them zeroing in on them, the ultras fled to the dense forest taking advantage of the cover of the night, he said.

Thereafter, during a search at the spot, the body of a woman Naxal was found. A .315 bore and some .12 bore guns were also recovered, he said.

The slain Naxal has been identified as Piso, a native of Jheeram village.

The villagers who were bein held hostage by the Naxals were rescued during the operation, Pandey said.

Blood stains at the spot indicated that some ultras might have been injured in the gun battle, the SP said, adding that a search in the area is underway.