15 dead Maoists fished out of Indravati river

Gadchiroli: The security forces recovered at least 15 more bodies of Maoists from the Indravati River here early on Tuesday, taking the toll in the gunfight in the past 48 hours to 37, official sources said.

A fresh gun-fight on Monday night left at least six Maoists dead, barely 36 hours after Sunday’s encounter which had resulted in the killing of 16 rebels.

The bodies, which were bloated and had started to decompose, were found floating in the river which flows along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. These 15 Maoists are said to be from among those who managed to escape into the forests during Sunday’s encounter.

They must have succumbed to their injuries, an official, who declined to be identified, said. The second encounter took place in Rajaram Kahnhila village in Jimlagatta with commandos of the C-60 force taking on the rebels. A high-ranking commander of the Aheri Dalam, identified as Nandu, is among those killed.

Officials said the Sironcha and Perimeli dalams have been totally wiped out in the two-day long operations.

Jimlagatta is 60 km from the scene of Sunday’s ambush in which 16 Maoists were killed, including three of their high-ranking commanders and seven women. Maharashtra’s Additional Director-General of Police (L&O) Bipin Bihari said that so far the C-60 commando forces have eliminated three Maoist dalam commanders.