<span style="color: #222222;">Five Naxalites were killed in a clash with police in Pandongari forest in Khobramendha area of Kurkheda taluka this morning. All the five Naxals had a bounty of Rs 43 lakh. Among them are Bhaskar Hichami, Asmita, Amar, Sukhdev and Sujata, secretaries of the North Gadchiroli divisional committee of the Naxals. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Deputy Inspector General of Police Sandeep Patil and Superintendent of Police Ankit Goyal told a press conference that the anti-Naxal operation has been underway since March 27 under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police Manish Kalwania. Jawans of C-60 squad of police were conducting special operations in Khobramendha area. There were also clashes that day. At that time, the police had seized a large quantity of Naxal material. This morning, a clash took place with the police in Pandongari forest in the same area. Naxalites Bhaskar Hichami, Asmita, Amar, Sukhdev and Sujata were killed. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Bhaksar Hichami alias Rishi Raoji alias Pawan was a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee. He was also a member of the North Gadchiroli Divisional Committee. There have been 155 cases registered against him. He carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh on him. Raju alias Sukhdev Budhesingh Naitam was the Deputy Commander of Tipagad LOS. He has 14 charges against him and the government had placed a reward of Rs 10 lakh on him. Amar Kunjam was a member of Kasansur LOS. He has been charged with 11 offenses and the government has offered a reward of Rs 2 lakh. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Sujata alias Kamla alias Punita Gawde alias Atram was a member of Tipagad LOS Platoon No. 15. She was charged with 31 offenses and had a bounty of Rs 4 lakh. Asmita alias Sukhlu Pada is TipagadWas a member of the LOS. She was charged with 11 offenses and had a bounty of Rs 2 lakh, said Superintendent of Police Ankit Goyal. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">This is a big blow to the Naxals. The bodies of the slain Naxals were brought to the police headquarters in Gadchiroli this afternoon.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, this is the first time in the district that a Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member has been killed in an encounter.</span>