Top Maoist leader among 29 ultras killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

At least 29 Maoists, including a top leader of the rebel group, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, reports said.

Three security personnel suffered injuries in the fierce gun-battle that comes just three days ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Shankar Rao, the top Maoist leader killed in the operation, had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head.

According to reports, a joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the state's District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation when the encounter broke out at 2 pm in Hapatola forest between Binagunda and Koronar villages under Chhotebethiya police station limits.

The three security personnel, who were injured in the gunfight, have been shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar) P.P. Sundarraj said the operation, which he claimed to be one of the biggest in the region, was launched after information about the presence of senior naxals Shankar, Lalita and Raju.

A search operation is underway, he said.