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Gariaband: As the operation against the Maoists continues near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, the death toll of Maoists killed in the encounter has increased to 24, suggest reports floating in the media.
According to the latest information, around two dozen cadres of the outlawed outfit have been killed in the ongoing encounter which started on January 19.
Earlier, the Gariaband Superintendent of Police, Nikhil Rakhecha, in a statement, stated that more than 14 Maoists were killed during a joint anti-Naxal operation by the Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalions, and SOG Nuapada.
According to the SP, the security forces were also able to kill a member of the Central Committee of the banned CPI (Maoist), Jairam alias Chalpati, who had a reward of one crore on his head.
Jairam alias Chalpati alias Ramchandra Reddy was a resident of Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh and was in-charge of the Srikakulam-Koraput division of the banned group.
A large quantity of weapons, including automatic weapons like SLR rifles were recovered from the site of the gunfight. The encounter is still underway.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the efforts of the security forces, stating that it was a “mighty blow” to Naxalism (Maoism).
“Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today,” the Union Home Minister stated.
Meanwhile Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai too highlighted the achievements of the security forces and their success in dealing with the Maoist threat, emphasising the government’s commitment to eliminating Naxalism in the state.
“Near the Kulhadi Ghat under the Mainpur police station of the Gariaband district, our security forces had an encounter with Maoists. So far, more than a dozen Maoists have been killed. There have been two major encounters with Naxalites within a week,” he said.
“Our soldiers have achieved huge success and our government is working to end the Naxalism. Maoism is like a cancer and we will succeed in destroying it completely. We will fulfil the resolution of the PM and the HM,” Sai added.
He also praised the courage of security personnel involved in the operation, stating that Naxalism is taking its last breath and by March 31, 2026, it will end completely.
“I salute the courage of our security force personnel and praise them… Naxalism is taking its last breath and we will end it by 31 March 2026,” he added.
Significantly as many as 18 Maoists were killed in an operation launched by a joint team of security forces in Kanker Pujari village under Usur block of Bijapur on January 16.
The gunfight led to neutralization of several senior Maoist cadres including Bade Chhokha Rao alias Damodar who was carrying a bounty of Rs 50 lakh on his head. Damodar was said to be the state committee secretary of Telangana.
Around 50 Maoist cadres were neutralised in separate operations carried out by the security forces across the state in January alone, signifying their growing capabilities to carry out major operations in the Maoist stronghold.
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