Bastar: A total of 31 Maoists were killed in a major anti-Maoist operation launched by a joint team of security forces in the forests of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, officials said on Sunday, February 9. The development has been confirmed by Inspector General of Police Bastar, Sundarraj P. The identity of the killed Maoists are being ascertained.
Earlier in the day, officials of the police confirmed that 12 Maoists were killed in encounter that broke out in the forests of Indravati National Park area on Sunday morning. Maoist’s death toll however surges to 31, according to latest reports.
Two of the jawans have also lost their lives, while two others have sustained injuries in the gunfight. The operation is still underway and an extensive search operation is being carried out in the area.
According to preliminary information, the mega offensive was launched following the police received credible inputs about the presence of Maoists in the area. Around 1000 security personnel were said to be part of the operation.
A large cache of explosive and weapons including automatic rifles were seized from the spot. Further reinforcement have also been rushed to the encounter site and more details about the gunfight are awaited. Maoist’s death toll in the encounter is expected to rise further.
Chhattisgarh: 31 Naxalites killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests under the National Park area of District Bijapur. Search operation is going on: IG Bastar, P Sundarraj pic.twitter.com/Op6Y9DEjxZ
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2025
Notably over 80 Maoists were neutralised in separate operations carried out by the security personnel in violence-hit areas of Chhattisgarh in 2025. Those killed this year includes of Maoist’s Central Committee member Jairam alias Chalpati who was gunned- down during an operation at Kulhari Ghat near Odisha borders on January 20.
The operation at Kulhari Ghat was launched days after a joint team of security forces neutralised as many as 18 Maoist cadres in Kanker Pujari village of Bijapur. The Maoist’s fatalities in the Kanker-Pujari encounter included of Maoist’s Telangan State in-charge Bade Chokha Rao alias Damodar.
(With Inputs from ANI)
