Sukma: Maoist commander gunned down

RAIPUR: A Maoist militia commander was on Monday gunned down in an exchange of fire with security forces in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said. The skirmish took place in the wee hours between District Reserve Group (DRG) and rebels in the jungles of Dornapal Police Station limits, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police (anti-naxal operations), Jitendra Shukla told PTI.
Acting on a specific input about the presence of a group of armed ultras in the forest between Arlampalli and Medwahi villages, around 500 kms from here, a squad of DRG was dispatched to the location late Sunday night, he said.When the DRG party reached the target area in early hours, they came under heavy fire from Maoist which led to gun-battle between both the sides, the ASP said. However, ultras soon fled from spot.
During the search, body of a naxal clad in uniform, a country-made rifle, some 12 bore live ammunition, wire and other items were recovered from the spot, he said. The killed Maoist has been identified as Vanjam Nanda, a very active Militia commander against whom at least 12 warrants issued by various courts in grave naxal offences were pending, ASP said.