The 35-year-old head of the Permili dalam, Prabhakar aka Waman Zuru Peka Wadde, was involved in no less than 13 murders, a dacoity and a series of sabotage activities including explosions and arson over a decade-long active part in the Naxal movement.

His woman associate, Rikki Poti Portet alias Bhartakka (28), was involved in 25 serious offences including seven murders, sabotage, encounters with police, attack on police stations and arson.

A significant number of firearms including a self-loading rifle (SLR) and 21 live cartridges, a 0.315 calibre rifle and 34 cartridges, a 50 bore rifle and 23 cartridges besides, a radio set and other incriminating articles were seized by the police from the encounter site.

Senior police officials includingSpecial Inspector General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations) U D Rajwade, Gadchiroli District Superintendent of Police (DSP) S Jagannathan and Assistant SP Nikhil Gupta rushed to the site to take stock of the situation.

The encounter comes close on the heels of a two-day convention of a Naxal front `Dandakaranya Adiwasi Kisan Sanghatana', where it was decided to intensify the Naxalite movement in the region adjoining Andhra Pradesh.

Talking to reporters at Gadchiroli, ASP Gupta said: "The police had stepped up vigilance in the area soon after the recent explosion near Nagargunda in Bhamragadh region."

He said, an informer tipped off the Etapalli police recently that a group of over a dozen Naxalites, including the Permili dalam chief, was expected to attend the marriage of Peka Hechmi, a resident of Kunjemarka village.

Acting on the tip-off, the police had laid traps at various points in the village and were constantly on the look out for any suspicious activity in the vicinity.

Around 7 am, theNaxal group was found heading for the nearby Zarewada village from Kunjemarka when they were intercepted by the police party. However, the Naxalites resorted to indiscriminate firing forcing the police to respond in kind.

In the ensuing cross-fire, Waman and Bhartakka fell to the bullets of the police.