15 more Maoists' bodies recovered from Maharashtra's Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli: Security forces on Tuesday recovered 15 more bodies of Maoists, who were killed in an encounter with C-60 squad of commandos of the Maharashtra Police. The total number of casualties of Naxals in the Gadchiroli encounter now stands at 31. 

"In the operation by C-60 squad in Kasanasur jungle area, 16 bodies of Naxals (9 men and 7 women) were recovered on April 22," a senior police official said on Tuesday. 

"Due to heavy rain and paucity of manpower, search was stopped. On Monday, an operation was launched to search for bodies in Indravati river and 15 more bodies were recovered," the official said. Search for more bodies and weapons is ongoing, he said.

In another operation in Kapewancha area of Rajaram Khandla post on Monday, six Naxals were killed and their bodies recovered. These include two men and four women, the official said. 

Maharashtra Director General of Police Satish Mathur said the massive operation against Naxals was a result of "accurate and specific" intelligence, low morale of Naxals and divisions in their ranks. 

The elite anti-Naxal squad C-60 of the Gadchiroli police on Sunday launched combing operations in the forest following information that the extremists were to hold a meeting. The “exchange of fire” started between 10 am and 11 am and continued till 1:30 pm in the forested area.