Maharashtra: 25-year-old Naxalite surrenders in Gondia district

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A 25-year-old Naxalite with a reward of Rs 7 lakh on his head, surrendered himself on Wednesday in eastern Maharashtra's Gondia district, the police told PTI.

As per the agency report, Bichem Suklu Punem, alias Sanjay, is a resident of Pusnaar village in Gangalur tehsil of the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. He was reportedly active as a Naxalite since 2013.

He had served as the bodyguard of senior Naxalite Pahadsingh and was associated with Darekasa Dalam of the Maoists, the district superintendent of police, Nikhil Pingle, told PTI.

According to the PTI reports, he was also involved in skirmishes with police in Murkotdoh and Tekatola under Salekasa police station limits. Additionally, he was in the Kosabi forest range within Chichgarh police station limits, the official told PTI.

Punem was reportedly fed up with violence and exploitation of tribal youths by senior Naxalite leaders, the officer told PTI. Speaking to PTI, he further added that Punem will get benefits as per the government's rehabilitation scheme for surrendered Naxalites, reported PTI.

Two ITBP jawans injured in a Naxal IED blast in Chhattisgarh.

Earlier on Friday, two Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxals went off in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, police told PTI.

According to the agency, the incident took place around 6:30 in the forest near Kutul village in the Kohkameta police station area. According to a police official, the incident happened when a team of ITBP's 53rd battalion was out on an area domination operation.

Two ITBP personnel came into contact with the IED, triggering an explosion that caused superficial splinter injuries to them, the official told PTI.

The wounded Jawans are said to be out of danger, as they were rushed to hospitals after the explosion, said the police official. He added that the search operation is underway in the area.

Earlier, on June 7, six Naxalites were killed in an encounter that broke out with security forces at Chhattisgarh's Bastar on Friday, police told PTI.

The encounter reportedly broke out between the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PGLA) Military Company No. 06 and the police forces, they added.

Two party members of Company No. 06, one People's Party Committee Member, one Deputy Commander, and an Area Committee Member of Bayanar Area were included among the dead Naxalites. The joint inter-district anti-Naxal operation was conducted in the Amdai Area Area Committee area of East Bastar Division, reported the PTI.

(with inputs from PTI)