Seven Maoists killed in major encounter in Telangana’s Mulugu district

Security forces killed seven Maoists in an encounter in Telangana’s Mulugu district on Sunday morning. This operation comes just a week after two tribal men were murdered on suspicion of being police informers in the area. According to police reports, the encounter occurred around 5:30 AM when elite anti-Maoist Greyhounds forces spotted the Maoists in the Chalpaka forest and ordered them to surrender.

Despite the ultimatum, the Maoists opened fire, prompting the security forces to retaliate. Among those killed was Bhadru, also known as Kursam Mangu or Papanna, a 35-year-old area committee commander of the CPI (Maoist) and a member of its Telangana State Committee. The other six Maoists who lost their lives included 43-year-old Egolapu Mallaiah, 22-year-old Mussaki Deval, 23-year-old Mussaki Jamuna, 25-year-old Jai Singh, 22-year-old Kishore, and 23-year-old Kamesh, all of whom were reportedly led by Bhadru.

Authorities seized an arsenal of weapons from the encounter site, including AK-47s, G3 rifles, INSAS rifles, and other explosives. This encounter marks the first major clash in recent years as Maoist activities attempt to resurface in the Mulugu district. The recent murders of Uika Ramesh and Uika Arjun, two tribal men believed to be informers, have heightened tensions in the region, with a note found on their bodies alleging their collaboration with state authorities. It remains unclear if the Maoists involved in their deaths were among those killed in the recent encounter.

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