Chhattisgarh: Maoist killed following exchange of fire with DRG in Dhamtari

Security Forces in a counter-insurgency operation have gunned down a Maoist following an exchange of fire in Muhkot- Aamjhar area of Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday, June 23.

The gunfight broke out near the forest of Muhkot-Aamjhar under Khallari police station limits when a team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a special unit of the Chhattisgarh police trained in guerilla warfare was out on a combing operation on Sunday’s afternoon.

Following the exchange of fire with the police team, the outlaws reportedly retreated towards the dense forests after which the team recovered body of a male Maoist from the spot. The identity of the deceased Maoist is being ascertained by the police.

Further, the security team also recovered a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) along with extremist literature and other daily use materials from the encounter site. A few other Maoists are also suspected to received grave injuries in the exchange of fire and a search operation is the vicinity of the spot is being carried out

The development has occurred on the heels of Maoists triggering a strong Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion resulting in death of as many as two personnel of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) under Jagargunda police station limits of Sukma district.

The incident occurred in the Maoist affected Timmarpur area near Tekalgudem when the vehicle of security personnel was struck by the explosion triggered by the extremists on Sunday’s afternoon.

It is noteworthy that the security forces have strengthened their presence in the Maoist infested Bastar division of Chhattisgarh which encompasses districts like Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Sukma and Kanker, all hotbed of Maoist insurgency since long.

The strengthening of the forces in these remote parts of the state has paved way for aggressive counter insurgency operation leading to neutralization of as many as 133 Maoists in this year alone.  The development has occurred after the incumbent state government gave a nod to amplify operations in the Maoist heartland with an aim to eradicating the Maoist presence from the state in the next few years.