A cache of firearms, including two INSAS rifles, was recovered from the encounter site.

Security forces on Thursday killed eight Naxalites, including four women, in an encounter in Chhattisgarh, a senior police official said.

A cache of firearms, including two INSAS rifles, was recovered from the encounter site.

The gunbattle took place around 6 a.m. in a forest area near Timinar and Pusnar villages along the boundary of Bijapur and Dantewada districts, Deputy Inspector General of Police (anti-Naxal operations) Sundarraj P. said..

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the District Reserve Guard and the Special Task Force launched an operation from Dantewada on Wednesday in the forest area, he said.

Exchange of fire

While the security men were cordoning off the forest areas in Timinar and Pusnar villages in Bijapur, around 450 km from State capital Raipur, an exchange of fire broke out between the two sides on Thursday, he said.

The gunbattle lasted for about two hours, following which the Naxalites fled into the core forest area, he said.

“After the guns fell silent, bodies of seven Naxalites, including three women, were initially recovered from the spot,” Later, one more body of a woman Naxalite was found, he said.

Two INSAS rifles, two .303 rifles, a 12 bore gun and a few muzzle loading guns were also recovered, the DIG said.

More details would be known when the security forces returned to their camp, he added.