A group of about 150 Naxalites have set afire 25 vehicles in Kanker and called for shutdown in the region on Wednesday, reports said.
The development comes after Naxal commander Podia was gunned down by the police in Kesapur village of the restive Dantewada district at 1pm on Tuesday.
Following a tip-off on Naxal movement, the District Reserve Group of the state led an operation near Tongpal police station area with team of 10 personnel.
Though the Naxals started firing, they fled the area following retaliation by security forces. The police recovered the body of Podia along with a 303 rifle, its nine live rounds, a 315 bore revolver and its six live rounds, said reports.
Earlier four Maoists were killed in Bijapur district and seven in Sukma district. With the latest encounter, the total number of insurgents killed in six separate operations this month has risen to 15.
