A representative image (The Leaflet)
Raipur: Days after security forces carried out a major operation against Maoists in south Bastar, an area considered home to PLGA (armed wing of the banned CPI Maoist) battalion no1, the outlawed group on Saturday, January 18 claimed that they have lost 18 of their men in the exchange of fire with the forces on January 16.
“We have lost 18 of our cadres in this campaign including comrade Chokha Rao alias Damodar,” said spokesperson of South Bastar Divisional Committee, Ganga via a press release issued on Saturday.
Damodar alias Chokha Rao was holding the rank of SCM and carrying a bounty of Rs 50 lakh on his head. The other notable names killed in the encounter include of Hungi, Deve, Joga and Nar Singh Rao, all holding PPCM rank in the banned group.
The release further claimed that the operation involved around 5000 security personnel who also have suffered causalities on their end in the exchange of fire. “Dozens of security personnel have sustained injuries in the gunfight,” it added.
Notably, around two thousand personnel from separate units of CRPF, its elite jungle warfare unit CoBRA and specialised counter-insurgency units of Chhattisgarh police launched a major operation in the south Bastar area, a core insurgency zone on January 16.
A gunfight broke out between the joint team of security forces and the Maoists on Thursday morning at around 9 am. Intermittent firing at the site lasted till late evening, resulting in significant damage to the Maoist side.
Bodies of 12 Maoists including 5 women cadres were later recovered from the spot. A large cache of arms and ammunition were also seized. The operation was launched on receiving intel about presence of large number of Maoists belonging to PLGA battalion no 1 headed by Deva and CRC Company.
“This was a big encounter as this area is known for the presence of PLGA battalion no 1 and CRC company. We have setup five camps in the area after which the Maoists shifted their base. 12 bodies of Maoists were recovered after the encounter. Two personnel of CoBRA and a STF Jawan have sustained injuries in the attack, It’s a decisive edge for us,” said Jitendra Kumar Yadav, Superintendent of Police Bijapur.
An extensive search operation in the area further led to unearthing of an underground tunnel which was being used by the Maoists for storing explosive materials, equipment used in producing country-made weapons and bombs.
The place was being used to manufacture country-made guns while glass bottles and other materials were reportedly being used for the purpose of bomb making.
Significantly, security forces in recent months have amplified their operations in the violence-hit landscapes of Bastar, neutralising over 200 cadres of the outlawed outfit in the last twelve months alone. This comes amidst erection of forward operating bases in core areas of the ultras, forcing them to shift their bases.
Continuous operations and establishment of security camps in deep forested zones have also led to the surrender and arrest of thousands of Maoist cadres, denting a significant damage to the already weakened group.
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