At least 29 Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres, including senior cadres, were killed in an encounter ever between Maoists and Security Forces (SFs) in deep forests near Binagunda and Koronar area under Chhotebethiya Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh on April 16, reports The Times of India. Kanker Superintendent of Police (SP) Kalyan Elesela said, “Senior Maoist commanders Shankar Rao and Lalita were among those killed, and they carried a cash bounty of Rs 25 lakh [INR 2.5 million] each. Another cadre, Vinod Gawde, who was active in Rajnandgaon and the state bordering regions of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, was also killed in the biggest encounter ever. Gawde carried a Rs 10 lakh [INR 1 million] bounty on his head.” Three security personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) and District Reserve Guards (DRG) also sustained bullet injuries in the encounter. Many automatic assault weapons were seized, including the INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifle, AK 47, SLR (Self-Loading Rifle), carbine, and.303 rifles in large quantity. There was specific input about the presence of senior cadres of ‘divisional committee’ rank, including Lalitha, Shankar, Rajman, and one more, officials said, adding that the identity of killed Maoists is yet to be established.