BENGALURU: Top Maoist leader Vikram Gowda was killed in an encounter between police and Maoists in Karnataka. A heavy encounter took place yesterday in the Sitambailu forest area on the Chikmagalur-Udupi border.

Gowda, head of Maoist military operations, is a major Maoist leader in South India. Gowda's presence was in areas like Sringeri, Narasimharaja pura, Karkala and Udupi in the past few days. Reports have also emerged that Maoist activities are increasing in these areas. Vikram Gowda is a Maoist commander who escaped from the 2016 Nilambur encounter.

The Karnataka police and the Anti-Naxal Force found five Maoists while searching in the Hibri forest area. Vikram Gowda was killed in the ensuing encounter. It is reported that three Maoist leaders escaped during the encounter. The survivors are Mund Garu Latha, Jayanna and Vanajakshi. Police said they had arrived in Udupi from Kerala two months ago. The police also said that a search has been intensified for them.