22 Naxals killed, two captured in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: In a major crackdown, at least 22 Maoists were killed today in two separate encounters with central security forces in Chhattisgarh. The bodies of 16 Maoists were found; two of them, who sustained injuries, were also captured.

The first encounter, which took place at Basaguda, began at around 12:30 am and ended early this morning. Two teams of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched the operation against the Naxals from two different directions - a 200-strong force moved from Jasaguda and another moved from Chintalnar in the north-west side.

Six CRPF jawans, including two CoBRA commandos, sustained bullet injuries; two of them are critical. They were air-lifted to state capital Raipur for medical aid. The arrested Maoists too were taken to Raipur.

The operation is being considered a huge success for security forces, given the high casualty figure of the Maoists. Significantly, most bodies of the killed Naxals have also been found, which otherwise are taken away by the Left ultras.

Basaguda is close to Chintalnar, where Naxals had carried out an audacious attack on security forces, killing 75 CRPF men and one state police personnel in April 2010.

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