Eight Naxals killed in encounter in West Midnapore

MIDNAPORE: In a major crackdown on Maoists, security forces killed eight Naxals, including three women, in an encounter at a forest in West Midnapore district early today.

After getting a tip-off that a group of 22 Maoists had taken shelter in Ranja forest near Duli village in the Salboni police station area, the joint forces, comprising the CRPF, BSF, COBRA and state police, raided the area, West Midnapore District Magistrate N S Nigam said.

Nigam said the Maoists first opened fire and the forces retaliated, killing the eight Maoists including three women. All eight bodies had been recovered, but were yet to be identified.

The entire area from Bhadutala to Pirakata in Salboni along the forest has been declared off limits to people and vehicles following the encounter.

The vigil along the border with Jharkhand had been intensified, the DM said, adding more Maoists might be hiding in the area.

Arms including four SLR guns, three AK-47s, two AK-56s and cartridges had been recovered, Nigam said, adding some landmines, detonators and IEDs have also been seized from the spot.

One person has been arrested. Nigam said those killed were between 18 and 25 years of age.

Additional reinforcements from state police and CRPF have been sought.