HYDERABAD: Information gleaned from the September 3 encounter in the Purangel-Andri forests of Chhattisgarh, in which 10 Maoists were killed, helped the Telangana police embark on a search for the left-wing extremists near Mothe village of Bhadradri Kothagudem district which led to a gun battle in which six Maoists were killed on Thursday.
Sources said that the Telangana police had obtained information from neighbouring state’s police units, which participated in the encounter at Chhattisgarh. Based on the inputs, the state police forces intensified combing operation at the suspected areas in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
Director-General of Police Dr Jitender appealed to the Maoist cadre in Telangana to join the mainstream and take part in the advancement of the nation through constructive participation and benefit from the rehabilitation process of Telangana government, which includes immediate relief and other support measures.
Even though police officials had, when the BRS was in power, said that there was no Maoists activity in Telangana, the Maoists cadre have been spread over at different places for the past ten years. Sources said that when the police forces traced the Maoists to Telangana, the then police officials took assistance from neighbouring state police forces and were involved in alleged encounters. It was also proved that a number of alleged encounters took place in Telangana for the past few years.
Some senior police officials stated that they are in touch with the neighbouring police forces.
"Even though the Maoists cadre exists in the state, their activities are nil. They are not strong ever since police intensified regular combing operations in Telangana," sources said.
The fire which took place in Bhadradri district might have been part of `Operation Kagar' to prevent insurgency of Maoists from neighbouring states and its border places.
Perhaps, the recent exchange of fire is one of the major incidents in Telangana. The police have focused on the new recruits and succeeded in preventing Maoists going about new recruitments.
Encounters with Maoists
July 26, 2024: A Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire in the borders of Mulugu district.
January 18, 2022: Two Maoiststs were killed in an encounter with the Telangana Greyhounds special police forces on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
December 14, 2017: At least eight banned Maoists were gunned down in Tekulapalli of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
December 6, 2017: In a joint operation by Maharashtra and Telangana forces, seven Maoists, including five women, were killed in an encounter near Adilabad border.
September 15, 2016: Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with police in Warangal district.
March 1, 2016: Around eight Maoists were killed in an encounter on the Khammam-Chhattisgarh border.
