RAIPUR: In a major success for security forces, grappling with the Maoist challenge in interiors of Bastar, more than two dozen Maoists have been so far neutralised in an ongoing major encounter that broke out between the security forces and the extremists near inter-district borders of Dantewada and Narayanpur on Friday, October 4.
According to the details received, the gunfight occurred when a joint team of security forces was dispatched on a counter-insurgency operation in Maad area near Narayanpur border, notorious for Maoists related activities. The exchange of fire that broke out around 1pm on Friday’s afternoon has resulted in heavy losses for the extremists.
As of now bodies of around two dozen cadres of banned CPI (Maoist) have been recovered from the site of encounter, while a large cache of automatic weapons has also been seized. The weapons recovered from the site includes of automatic rifles such as the AK-47 and the Self Loading Rifles (SLR). No causalities have been so far reported on the security forces side. The operation is still underway and more details about the gunfight is awaited. It is being speculated that the number of Maoists killed in the encounter could rise further.
#UPDATE | Chhattisgarh: Total number of naxals killed in the encounter with Police so far rises to 14, more automatic weapons recovered. Further details awaited.
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
Meanwhile, hailing the achievement of security forces, the state’s Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai in a post on X said, “There are reports of 14 Naxalites being killed in an encounter. The great success achieved by the soldiers is commendable. I salute their courage and indomitable bravery. Our fight to end Naxalism (Maoism) will now rest only after reaching its conclusion, our double engine government is determine for this. Our aim is to eliminate Naxalism from the state.”
नारायणपुर-दंतेवाड़ा जिले के सीमावर्ती क्षेत्र में सुरक्षाबल के जवानों की नक्सलियों के साथ हुई मुठभेड़ में 14 नक्सलियों के मारे जाने की खबर है।
जवानों को मिली यह बड़ी कामयाबी सराहनीय है। उनके हौसले और अदम्य साहस को नमन करता हूं।
नक्सलवाद के खात्मे के लिए शुरू हुई हमारी लड़ाई अब…
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) October 4, 2024
Notably, of late the security forces have tightened the grip on the violent group, launching a string of operations in Abujhmaad, a heavily forested region and a home to the top brass of the Maoist group, adjacent to Maharashtra border.
With the latest inclusion on Friday, the number of Maoists killed in separate encounters in the state marred by red terror has surpassed the tally of 180 in this year alone , indicating a major shift in terms of executing targeted successful operations in Maoist bastion of Bastar
Recently, a similar operation launched by the forces in the area had resulted in neutralisation of three Maoist cadres on September 23. The operation was launched by a joint team of security forces after credible intel of Maoist’s presence in the area. The security team came under heavy firing from the extremists near the Maharashtra border, leading to a fierce exchange of fire between both sides, which lasted for several hours.
Following the encounter, the forces recovered body of three Maoists including of a female cadre. Two of the deceased Maoists were later identified as Rupesh, a top Maoist cadre with a bounty of Rs 25 lakhs on his head. The other Maoist cadre was identified as Jagdish, a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) of CPI (Maoist) carrying a reward of Rs 16 lakh.
Rupesh was reported to be associated with the Dandkaranya Special Zonal Committee and was tasked with overseeing the operations of the banned group in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, another hotbed of insurgency. The forces during the operation had also recovered automatic weapons from the spot.
Notably, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah in his recent visit to the state had disclosed the government’s intent to eradicate the Maoist menace from the country before March 2026, indicating that the government may adopt more stringent measures to deal with the decades-long issue of Maoist insurgency in upcoming months.
