five-naxalites-killed-in-encounter-with-security-personnel-in-chhattisgarh-s-bijapur

A total of twelve Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Friday, police said.

The gunfight took place in a forest near Pidia village under Gangaloor police station limits when a team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a senior police official informed.

As per the field report, bodies of 12 Naxalites have so far been recovered from the encounter site, he said, adding that security personnel are reported to be safe.

Further details are awaited, he added.

Search operation is still underway in the area, the police said.

On April 16, security forces had gunned down 29 Naxalites in an encounter in Kanker district of the state, they said.

On May 5, in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, 35 Naxalites surrendered to authorities, including three individuals with a combined reward of Rs 3 lakh, according to a senior police official. 

Among those who turned themselves in were a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy.