Three Naxalites have been neutralised in the operation, which began three days ago

The operation started on Tuesday near Phodewada village, close to the Gadchiroli-Narayanpur border with Chhattisgarh. It was launched following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of cadres from Maoist company number 10 in the area

C-60 jawan Deepak Chinna Madavi (38), who was injured during the encounter and airlifted to Bhamragad for treatment, died while undergoing medical care

Another injured jawan, Joga Madavi, was also airlifted to Bhamragad. Police said his condition is stable and he will be shifted to Gadchiroli for further treatment

The C-60 is a specialised combat unit of the Maharashtra Police tasked with combating Naxal activities in Gadchiroli and Gondia districts