Police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli engaged in an encounter that resulted in the neutralization of four Naxalites.

Four Naxalites, carrying a collective bounty of ₹36 lakh, were killed in an encounter with police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Tuesday, a senior official said.

On Monday afternoon, the police received intelligence regarding the entry of Naxalites into Gadchiroli from Telangana, crossing the Pranhita river. Their objective was to engage in subversive activities during the ongoing model code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, according to Superintendent of Police Neelotpal.

In response, multiple teams including the C-60 specialized combat unit of Gadchiroli police and the Central Reserve Police Force's Quick Action team were deployed for a search operation.

During a search operation conducted on Tuesday morning in the Kolamarka mountains near Repanpalli by one of the C-60 teams, the Naxalites initiated gunfire at the security personnel. The security forces retaliated, resulting in the neutralization of four male Naxalites. The deceased Naxalites, identified as Vargeesh, Magtu, Kursang Raju, and Kudimetta Venkatesh, held a collective cash reward of ₹36 lakh on their heads.

Additionally, the security forces recovered an AK-47 gun, a carbine, two country-made pistols, Naxal literature, and other items during the operation.