Six Maoists Killed in Encounter with Telangana Police; Two Officers Injured, One in Critical Condition

In a major operation on Thursday morning, six Maoists were killed, and two security personnel were injured in a gunfight between police forces and Maoists in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana. The incident took place in the forests of the district near the border with Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.

According to Bhadradri Kothagudem District Superintendent Rohit Raj, Greyhounds personnel, Telangana’s elite anti-Maoist force, were involved in the encounter. Among the Maoists killed was a key commander, Lakshman. The confrontation occurred in the Pinapaka mandal’s Karkagudem forest area, early Thursday morning.

Superintendent Rohit Raj further stated that two police officers from Telangana were injured during the exchange of fire, with one of them in critical condition. Both injured officers were rushed to a hospital in Bhadrachalam for treatment.

Naxalites Fleeing from Chhattisgarh SP Pankaj Paritosh explained that the Maoists were attempting to escape from Chhattisgarh to Telangana due to mounting pressure from security forces in the region. Commander Lakshman and his group were traveling through the forest route towards Telangana when they were intercepted by local police and Greyhounds forces.

The encounter led to a fierce exchange of gunfire, resulting in the deaths of six Maoists. The slain Maoists were identified as Kunjah Viraiya, Tulsi, Shukra, Chalo, Durgesh, and Koto. Police also recovered weapons and explosive materials from the encounter site.

The operation underscores the ongoing efforts by Telangana police and security forces to curb Maoist activities in the region, especially in areas bordering Chhattisgarh, where Maoist presence remains strong.