Wayanad (Kerala): A suspected Maoist was killed in an alleged encounter between the Kerala police and a gang of Left extremists in the district early Tuesday, police said. The firing between the ‘Thunderbolt’, an elite commando force of Kerala police specialised in combating extremists, and the suspected Maoists ultras took place in the nearby Banasura forest area under Padinjarethara police station limits. There are news reports saying the gun fight between the Thunderbolt and Maoists is still continuing.
“We are yet to receive the details of the encounter. However, there is one casualty. The police team including the SP is on their way to the location,” a senior police source told this agency.
However, Padinarethara police said they are yet to receive any details regarding the encounter. Vellamunda police officials said they were on their way to the location and details were yet to be known.
Four Maoists were killed October 30 last year in an exchange of fire in the forest area of Palakkad district. A suspected Maoist leader CP Jaleel was killed early in March last year in an exchange of fire with police personnel at a resort here.