Constable killed in encounter with Naxals in Karnataka

A constable attached to anti-Naxal force of Karnataka police was killed in an encounter with the ultras during a combing operation in a forest area in Dakshina Kannada district, police said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off that a 10-15 member Naxal group has been camping in the Manjulakadu forest range, the ANF launched combing operations.

Mahadeva Mane was killed in firing by the 'Netravati' group of Naxals led by Vikas Gowda, police said.

Additional reinforcements have been sent from Shimoga and Chikmagalur districts following the incident. Karnataka DGP N Achyuta Rao visited Mane's family in Bengaluru. The constable hailed from Bijapur district.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda expressed shock over the incident and asked the ANF officials to intensify combing operations and nab the Naxalites.

He told reporters that he had sought a detailed report on the incident. Home Minister R Ashoka said that Mane's wife and two children would be allowed to stay in KSRP quarters, the home department would bear expenses of the studies of his children and they would be given jobs once they complete studies.