A special Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) has been carrying out search operations in Udupi and nearby regions after reports of Naxal activities.
Published Nov 19, 2024 | 1:20 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 19, 2024 | 5:05 PM
Nalak commander Vikram Gowda killed in encounter
In an encounter that took place on the night of Monday, 18 November at the Kabbinale forest area within Hebri police station limits of Udupi district in Karnataka, Naxal commander Vikram Gowda was killed.
After reports of Naxals being spotted in the area, a special Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) has been carrying out search operations in Udupi and nearby regions since the beginning of November.
On Monday night, during one such operation, the special force spotted five suspected Naxals who were purportedly visiting a village in Hebri police station limits to purchase daily essentials.
On being spotted by the ANF, Naxalites reportedly launched an attack on the police, leading to a gunfight. In the ensuing encounter, Vikram Gowda was fatally shot, while other Naxals managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
Vikram Gowda was a Naxalite commander operating in Karnataka for nearly two decades. Him being gunned down marks the first encounter in the area after 20 years. The last encounter was in November 2003, when two women Naxalites were killed in a similar encounter.
Talking to media personnel about the encounter, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Roopa D Moudgil said that Vikram, with over 60 cases against him, was one of the most-wanted Naxal commanders.
Confirming that he was killed in the encounter, the IPS officer said, “He had 61 cases against him including cases of murder and extortion. He also has 19 cases against him in neighbouring Kerala. Anti-Naxal Force led by SP Jitendra was combing the forest area for the last 10 days to try and spot him.”
Vikram Gowda was one of the last standing Naxals in Karnataka. “This operation and is a feather in the ANF’s cap. This is the fourth encounter since ANF was formed in 2005. We are continuing to comb the forest area to try and find the Naxals who ran away.”
Karnataka police has been combing several villages across Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga districts after reports of Naxal movement the area.
In one such operation, recently, cops recovered three firearms were recovered from a house in Kadegundi village,of Koppa taluk.
(Edited by Neena with inputs from Mahesh M Goudar)
