Maoist gunned down in Gariaband

Raipur: A Maoist carrying a cash reward of five lakh rupees was gunned down in an encounter that took place between the Maoists, and 207 CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), district force and CRPF in Gariaband on Tuesday.The joint team launched an anti-naxal operation/area domination exercise from Jugad police station under Gariaband district, about 170 km South-East of state capital Raipur.When the security forces reached the forested patch near Karlajhar village in Jugad police station around 9:20 am on Tuesday, armed Maoists opened fire on the force. The security personnel retaliated and the exchange lasted for half-an-hour, said Gariaband superintendent of police Tukaram Kamble.Body of a Maoist and a .303 gun were found on the spot. The man was identified as Nandlal alias Amlu Netam, a resident of Rikshapathra village under Shobha police station limits of Gariaband district. He was deputy commander of Maoist Udanti LOS (Local Organizing Squad), said the SP.