25-year-old Naxal arrested near Todka Village forests

A naxal was arrested after a gunbattle between security forces and rebels in Maoist-hit Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Friday.

Budhu Hemla (25) was caught when he was trying to flee after the face off in the forests of Gangalur police station limits on late Thursday evening, a senior police official told PTI. He was held after a joint team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and district force heading towards Korcholi village under Gangalur forest for an area domination operation, reached near Todka Village forests.

About 50-60 armed ultras opened indiscriminate firing on them after which security personnel launched retaliatory attack. The gunfight continued for a short while, after which naxals began escaping into the thick jungles.

Meanwhile, a cadre was chased by security forces and nabbed, he said. A muzzle loading gun, a pitthu bag, explosives and other ammunitions were also recovered from his possession, he said.

During interrogation, he admitted of being involved in several incidents of naxal crime in the region, he added.

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