Mumbai: At least 13 Naxals were killed in an encounter with police in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra early Friday, police said.
According to Sandeep Patil, Deputy Inspector General of Gadchiroli, the face-off started around 0500 hrs when the ultras had gathered for a meeting in the forest of Kotmi in Etapalli.
Working on a tip-off about the meeting, the C-60 unit of Maharashtra Police had launched a search operation.
The ultras spotted them and opened fired. The police also retaliated and in the ensuing firing, 13 out-laws were killed.
“We had kicked off the operation a day ago itself after learning about the Maoist presence in the forest. So far, we have learnt about 13 bodies being recovered. The searches are still on,” he said.
Thirteen bodies have been recovered so far.
