Two cops killed in encounter with Naxals

Gadchiroli: According to the information given by the official, two police personnel got killed while three others injured in an encounter with Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district.

The exchange of fire took place in Poyarkoti-Koparshi forest area between 6 am and 6.30 am when a Quick Response Team from Bhamragadh and C-60 commandos of Gadchiroli Police were out on a joint anti-Naxal operation, a release from the office of Gadchrioli superintendent of police said.

Sub-inspector Dhannaji Honmane and constable Kishore Atram were killed in the skirmish, while three other personnel received injuries, the release said.

Police said four to five Naxals were also possibly killed in the encounter. The injured police personnel were rushed to a nearby hospital and the bodies were brought to Gadchiroli city in a helicopter.

Honmane was a native of Pandharpur in Solapur district while Atram hailed from Bhamragadh in Gadchiroli, sources said. C-60 is a specialised anti-Naxal unit of state police.

Later, the martyred police personnel were given a salute by firing gunshots in air at the Gadchiroli police headquarter ground at 7 pm.

Top officials, including state DGP Subodhkumar Jaiswal, Gadchiroli SP Shailesh Balkawade, district collector paid floral tributes on the occasion.