Telangana Police encounter in Bhadradri Kothagudem district killed six Maoists on Thursday. The incident occurred near Raghunathpalem in Karakagudem mandal, close to the Chhattisgarh border.
The firefight took place in a forested area during a police combing operation. Reports suggest some of the slain Maoists were top leaders from Telangana. Two policemen sustained injuries in the gunfight. Authorities are awaiting further details.
Police have noted that while left-wing extremism has largely been eliminated in Telangana over the past 10-15 years, Maoist activity persists in areas bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The fact that the leadership of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) is still dominated by individuals from Telangana is a significant concern for law enforcement.
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Thursday’s encounter is seen as a major blow to Maoist efforts to revive their operations in the state.
This incident follows a similar encounter two days earlier in Chhattisgarh. Where nine Maoists, including six women, were killed in an anti-Naxal operation. Among the dead was top Maoist leader Macherla Esobu from Telangana, who was in charge of the CPI (Maoist)’s central military command and carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head.