In another major success for security forces, grappling with the Maoist insurgency in violence-hit Bastar, as many as 10 Maoists were killed following a fierce exchange of fire between security forces and extremists in Sukma district on Friday, November 22.
According to the preliminary information received, the gunfight broke out when a team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on a combing operation in Bhejji area of Sukma on Saturday morning, resulting in heavy losses for the Maoists.
The security forces have also recovered sophisticated weapons from the site of the encounter. The development has been confirmed by the senior officials of the police. An extensive search operation in the area is being conducted and more details about the gun battle are awaited.
“10 naxals (Maoists) killed in an encounter with DRG in southern Sukma. Weapons such as INSAS and SLR rifles, AK-47, and others have been recovered. Search operation is underway, said IG Bastar Range, Sundarraj P.
10 naxals killed in an encounter with DRG in southern Sukma, Chhattisgarh. INSAS, AK-47, SLR & several other weapons recovered. Search operation is underway: IG Bastar P Sundarraj pic.twitter.com/v6gfI02IFo
— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2024
Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai via an official statement praised the efforts of the security forces. The CM further reiterated that the incumbent state government is working on the policy of zero tolerance towards Naxalism (Maoism).
सुकमा जिले में आज सुबह सुरक्षाबलों ने एक बड़ी कार्रवाई में 10 नक्सलियों को मार गिराया।
मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय ने सुरक्षाबलों की इस उपलब्धि पर प्रसन्नता व्यक्त करते हुए कहा कि उनकी सरकार नक्सलवाद के प्रति ज़ीरो टॉलरेंस की नीति पर कार्य कर रही है। उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि… pic.twitter.com/8qL1jZlHEO— CMO Chhattisgarh (@ChhattisgarhCMO) November 22, 2024
He further said that ensuring development, peace and safety of citizens in Bastar is the top priority of the incumbent state government.
It is to be noted that of late the security forces have amplified counter-insurgency operations in insurgency-hit Chhattisgarh, particularly in Bastar, a hotbed of Maoist-insurgency since decades.
Over 200 Maoists have been so far killed while more than 700 have surrender due to continuous operations being launched by the security forces in forested zones of Bastar in the past 11 months alone.
Notably, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the government has taken a resolve to eradicate the Maoist insurgency from the country before March 2026.
