Two Maoist commanders killed in Chhattisgarh

 Chhattisgarh : Two Maoist commanders have been gunned down in a shootout in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Thursday.

Superintendent of Police, Rajnandgaon, Prashant Aggarwal said the Maoists - Raju, a resident of Bijapur, and Nandu, a resident of Sukma, were killed in a gunfight on Wednesday evening in Gandai Police Station area.

"The police received information on Wednesday evening about the presence of Maoists in the forest in Gandai area. The police and STF team immediately left in search of the Maoists," said Aggarwal.

"The security forces found them in the forest in Suktara, around 12 km from Gandai. The team laid a siege and began firing. Two Maoists were shot dead in the encounter that lasted for half an hour," he added.

Raju was carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on his head while Nandu was carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, Aggarwal said.

One pistol, five cartridges, one .315 bore rifle, one walkie-talkie, Maoist uniform and other material were recovered from the spot, he added.

The Superintendent of Police said Maoist activity was witnessed for the first time in this area. 

The drive against the Maoists, who are attempting to expand their influence in Kawardha, Balaghat and Mandla, is still on, he added.