Naxal involved in Burkapal attack that killed 25 jawans surrenders

nA hardcore Naxalite wanted in connection with multiple killings of security personnel surrendered in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Dantewada district, after being dissatisfied with Maoist ideology, police said on Thursday.

Pradeep alias Bheem Kunjam, a resident of Aranpur in the district, who was the Deputy Commander of a Maoist platoon number 24, has surrendered, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Dr Abhishek Pallav announced.

The Chhattisgarh government had declared a cash reward of Rs 8 lakh on his head, the officer said.

Pradeep was involved in an ambush of a police party at Kirandul in June 2011 which left three police personnel dead, he said.

In 2012, he was part of a Maoist team that blew up a CISF vehicle in Kirandul killing five jawans and a civilian.

Likewise, he was involved in the 2016 Burkapal attack that claimed the lives of 25 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, the SP said.

Pradeep joined the Maoists in 2008 as a member of Maoist Malangir LOS (local operating squad). He was trained to operate wireless radio and to assemble it besides laying boobytraps, Pallav said.

After the surrender, he was provided with an immediate financial assistance of Rs 10,000 and he will be rehabilitated as per the rules of state government, the officers said.