In a massive anti-Naxal operation, Maharashtra police on Sunday killed at least 16 Naxals in an encounter in Gadchiroli district.
Gadchiroli is one of the worst Naxal-hit areas of Maharashtra and the police had launched a massive manhunt to nab the Naxalites.
According to the sources, the Naxals started firing at the police team, which retaliated in a befitting manner. During the retaliation, 16 were killed while few others injured.
Naxalites are considered one of the biggest internal security threats in India. Earlier on April 3, police killed three Naxals, including a high-ranking cadre, in South Gadchiroli.
The movement of Naxalites in South Gadchiroli had been crippled since December 2017. The Naxalites have lost 25 of their cadres in last 5 months.