Telangana: Eight Maoists killed in Police ops

Chhattisgarh and Telangana police launched the joint operation after receiving a tip-off about rebel movements through dense forest, a route they often use to cross the state border.

At least eight suspected Maoists, including five women, were shot dead in an encounter with security forces in a forest near the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border early Tuesday morning.

The killed Maoists included Telangana Maoist party Secretary Hari Bhushan and division commander Lachhanna, sources added.

The encounter had taken place between Nimmalaboru village in Bijapur district in Chattisgarh and Bochalanka village under Charla mandal in Telangana.

Bodies have been recovered and the identification process is on, he said.

Greyhounds Police officials said that eight persons including five women were killed but they could not confirm if one of them was Lachchanna.

Police also gave out conflicting details about the site of the encounter. An AK 47, two SLR and three 303 rifles were recovered from Putapadu near Cherla, reported ANI. Police recovered an AK 47 rifle, several.

While the local police hesitated to confirm the death of Haribhushan, they confirmed that Lachchana was indeed killed in the gunfight.