Gadchiroli, May 16 -- Gadchiroli Police and CRPF have arrested eight Maoists and secured the surrender of five senior Maoist cadres during 'Operation Antim Prahar' against Left Wing Extremism.

According to a statement on Saturday, the action has dealt a decisive blow to Maoist activities in Gadchiroli district, with no Maoists now remaining on the district police records.

The eight arrested Maoists include two Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs) and two Platoon Party Committee Members (PPCMs). Some of them were allegedly involved in the February 7 Phodewada encounter in which a C-60 commando was killed.

During the operations, security forces seized 51 firearms, including LMGs, AK-47 rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, 12-bore gun...