A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre was killed in an exchange of firewith Security Forces (SFs) in a forested area near Jaggawaram and Arampalli villages under Polampalli Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on February 15, reports The Pioneer. According to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Sundarraj P., a team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on a counter-insurgency operation in the said area. When the patrolling team was cordoning off the forests, an exchange of fire broke out between the two sides. After the gun-battle stopped, the SFs recovered the slain body of a Maoist along with one muzzle loading gun and a huge cache of explosives from the spot. The IGP further said, “According to preliminary reports, the killed Maoist was identified as Madvi Sukka, a ‘Militia commander’ of Pentapad village. Police teams have also recovered 1 Bharmar rifle, hand grenades and Pitthu bag from the spot."
Meanwhile, a Maoist carrying cash reward of INR 100,000 on his head was arrested by a team of SFs comprising the DRG, 111th Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local Police from Jiakodta village under Kuakonda Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh on February 15, reports The Pioneer. The arrested Maoist has been identified as Madvi Gango (29), head of the 'Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisaan Majdoor Sangthan' (DAKMS) of CPI-Maoist. According to a Police Official, "Gango was involved in three attacks on SFs, including in the Mailwada landmine attack in March 2016 in which seven CRPF troopers were killed."