Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Security forces and the left wing extremists (LWE) engaged in gunfight in Balaghat on Tuesday, said officials.
Special director general of police, anti naxal operations, Pankaj Shrivastava informed that an input was received about the presence of 10 to 15 Naxalites of the GRB Division under the jurisdiction of Lanjhi police station in Balaghat district on Monday.
Following this tipoff, 12 teams from Hawk Force and CRPF battalion 207 Cobra launched a search operation on the morning of May 20, for anti-Naxal operations.
During the search, around 2 PM, when the Hawk Force team reached the forest area near Bilalkasa village, a group of 15-20 armed Maoists, upon realizing the presence of the police team due to the dry leaves in the forest, fired 20-30 rounds at the police party.
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This forced the police team to take cover behind trees and stones for self-defense, and the Naxalites managed to flee from the scene.
The Hawk team retaliated with controlled fire in self-defense. Hawk Force and CRPF Cobra parties are being deployed to search the entire area in search of Naxals.
The Police recovered solar panels and a large quantity of daily use items and medicines being used by the Naxalites from the spot.
