Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010961070100.htm

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15 Maoists killed in Dantewada encounter

K. Srinivas Reddy

HYDERABAD: Security forces shot dead 15 Maoist rebels in a fierce gun battle in the forest areas of Gollapalli in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Thursday evening. Three Special Police Officers were critically injured.

In Bijapur district, another Maoist was shot dead by the police in the Mankedi forest area. Heavy contingents of the Chhattisgarh police and the Central Reserve Police Force were moving into the thick forest to escort the SPOs.

Fearing ambushes, the forces were inching their way, Pawan Deo, DIG, Intelligence, said over telephone from Raipur.