GADCHIROLI: In a major anti-Maoist operation, at least five Maoists were killed in an intense encounter with security forces in the forests of Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, on Monday, October 21. The gunfight took place in the Bhamragadh taluka, an area notorious for the activities of red terrorists near the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border.
The confrontation was part of a coordinated operation led by the C-60 specialised combat unit of the Gadchiroli police, backed by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) teams. A press release from the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Gadchiroli revealed that the Maoists had been gathering in the forest for two days, allegedly planning an attack ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, slated for November 20.
The encounter was triggered when security forces, who had launched an anti-Maoist operation from two strategic points, approached the area where the Maoists were located. Upon arriving, the forces faced heavy and indiscriminate gunfire from the Maoists, prompting them to retaliate. In the ensuing exchange of fire, five Maoists were neutralised.
The C-60 commandos, known for their expertise in combating Maoists, played a critical role in the operation, which was still ongoing as security personnel conducted a thorough search of the area. The identities of the slain Maoists will be confirmed during a press conference in Gadchiroli on Tuesday, authorities said.
The area of the operation borders the Maoist-hit Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, which has long been a hotbed of Maoist insurgency. The police suspect the group of Maoist may have been plotting attacks to disrupt the election process.
The operation highlights the heightened security measures being taken in the run-up to the elections in the region, which has historically been a target of Maoist violence. More details are expected to emerge as the security forces continue their combing operation in the dense forest region.
