Pre-dawn operation kills Maoist, securityman

A securityman and a Maoist were killed in a pre-dawn operation in a forest near Jhargram in West Midnapore district on Sunday.

The dead securityman belonged to a STRACO (Special Trained Company) battalion.

The police later found the body of a rebel from the spot during a search operation but officials said more Maoists were killed in the encounter, which took place 160 km from Kolkata.

“We are sure that at least three Maoists died in the encounter but we found only one body. We are looking for the others and the search operation is on,” said Praveen Tripathi, Jhargram SP, who led the joint operation comprising personnel of STRACO, CRPF and the police.

Like the June 16 anti-Maoist operation in West Midnapore district where eight rebels were killed, Sunday’s attack indicated that the security forces are developing sources on the ground. They are also moving in and launching attacks under cover of darkness.

Official sources said the police learnt about the Maoists’ presence in the forest near Ghritakham village on Saturday night. The Maoist squad was resting, with few of them keeping watch.

Suddenly the securitymen cordoned the area and a rebel guard opened fire on spotting them. The encounter followed.