Maoist carrying reward of ₹14 lakh killed in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat

A Maoist carrying a reward of ₹14 lakh was killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of Kothiatola in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh on Monday morning, said officials.

Balaghat superintendent of police (SP) Sameer Saurabh said, “The security forces had received information about movement of Maoists in the forest area of Kothiatola. When they were asked to surrender, they started firing. Forces retaliated. In exchange of gun fight, one Maoist was killed.”

The slain Maoist has been identified by police as area committee member Ukas alias Sohan of Bijapur, Bastar.

A joint operation was conducted by the district security forces and the Hawk Force at Kariyadanda village under Hatta police station area.

The SP said, “An alert has been issued in the district after the incident as there is information about the movement of Maoists.”