Mao wanted in 3 states killed in Balaghat gunfight with security forces: Cop

BHOPAL/ JABALPUR: A Mao carrying a reward of ₹12 lakh and wanted in three states was killed in an encounter in the forests of Balaghat drict of Madhya Pradesh, police said. The person killed was identified as Rupesh Kanha, alleged to be an active member of Bhoramdev Dalam.Balaghat additional superintendent of police Vijay Dabur said that the encounter took place in the forest area of Harratola village in the drict late on Saturday. “A joint team of Hawk Force and drict police was carrying out search operations in the area after receiving information about the movement of armed Mao cadre. There was a gunfight after Maos opened fire at the team. During a search after the firing, the body of one Mao was found. He was identified as Rupesh, who was wanted in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh,” he said.Two Maos were killed on November 30 in a joint operation of the state police and Hawk Force, the state’s special unit raised in the 1980s to counter Maos.A senior police officer said there has been an increase in the movement of Maos in Mandla drict and its adjoining of Balaghat drict, which shares a border with Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra but security forces have been able to thwart Mao plans to strengthen their presence.

Subscribe to our best newsletters

Subscribed to newsletter successfully

Thank you for subscribing to our Daily News Capsule newsletter.