Chhattisgarh: 22 Jawans martyred, 31 injured in an encounter with Naxals on Sukma-Bijapur border

22 Jawans were martyred and 31 were injured in an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh on Saturday. One soldier is still believed to be missing.

An encounter had broke out between security forces and Naxals along the Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh on Saturday after a party of Jawans was ambushed by Maoists near Jonnaguda village around noon. The forces were scattered and trapped along a two-km long stretch of forest area.

The encounter spot was barely 15 km from the Tarrem base camp of security forces.

Sources said Naxals used light-weight machine guns (LMGs) and even rocket launchers during the encounter.

The ambush was similar to the one carried out by Naxals in Tadmetla in 2010 and Minapa in 2020.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the deaths of security personnel in Chhattisgarh. He tweeted, “I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May injured recover soon.”