Exchange of Fire with suspected Naxals at Hallihole

Today on 13-09-2006 at about 1325 hrs at a place about 8 kms into the forest from Hallihole of Kundapura Taluk, While the Anti-Naxal Combing party was moving, they encountered a volley fire from an alleged Automatic weapon from deep in the forest. The party immediately took cover and returned fire with about 15 rounds. There being no response from the opposite side, the party immediately flanked to the sides and began a full fledged combing operation. Despite 3 hours of intense combing in the jungle the opponents escaped into the thick forest. The police party also met with heavy rain which hampered operations. The information reached senior officers by about 2 pm and reinforcements were immediately sent. Combing operations continued upto 7.30 pm and were temporarily suspended due to bad weather. None from the police party were injured in the encounter and there seem to be no signs of injuries from the other side too. Strict vigil is being maintained all along the reserve forest area from Kollur to down south Karkala and Police station security has also been beefed up in all police stations of the Naxal affected areas of the district.