Sukma: Two Maoists were gunned down in an exchange of fire with the security forces in the forested zone under the Kistaram police station limits in Sukma district on Saturday, March 1, police said.
According to police, a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched an operation on February 28.
The operation was launched following the police received credible intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists in the Kistaram area. The gun battle broke on Saturday morning in which two Maoists were eliminated. The encounter is still reported to be underway and an extensive search operation is also being conducted in the vicinity.
“During the operation, an intermittent encounter has been taking place since this morning between security forces and Maoists. Intensive search operations are being carried out at the encounter site and nearby areas,” said officials familiar with the development. More details about the encounter are still awaited.
Chhattisgarh | Encounter underway between security forces and naxals in the forest under Kistaram PS limit. Search operations is underway: Sukma Police
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2025
Notably around 90 Maoist cadres have been so far neutralised in separate counter-insurgency operations launched by the forces since January this year, marking continuation of the offensive campaign commenced by the forces since the early 2024.
7 Maoists surrender in Sukma
In a related development reported from Sukma on Friday, as many 7 Maoist cadres surrendered before the police. The surrendered Maoists were influenced by the ongoing development projects and the welfare schemes being run for the residents in Maoist affected areas.
They further listed the ongoing operations of the security forces among one of the reasons behind their surrender. They will be rehabilitated under the state government surrender and rehabilitation policy.
Sharing the details of the surrendered cadres, Superintendent of Police (SP), Sukma, Kiran Chaouhna said that “7 Maoists have surrendered after being inspired by the continuous operations by the CRPF. Those who surrendered include of cadres associated with the battalion no 01 of Madavi Hidma.”
Chhattisgarh: Influenced by anti-Maoists campaigns & govt development initiatives, 7 Maoists—including key battalion members of (Madvi) Hidma’s unit—surrender in Sukma.
Sukma SP Kiran G Chava confirms the surrendered Naxals had a Rs32 lakh bounty on their heads.
Key reasons for… pic.twitter.com/fSQlWHl8B9
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) February 28, 2025
“The other cadres were associated with Jagargunda Area Committee, many of the surrendered Maoists have worked as security guards of the top brass of Maoists,” added the SP.
One of the surrendered cadres was identified as Hemla Hidma, a former security guard of Madavi Hidma, a Central Committee member of the outlawed group.
The others notable Maoists among the group were Hemla’s wife Ravaa Mukke alias Bhime, a PPC member and Barse Sona, political in-charge of battalion no 01. Both Hemla and his wife Ravaa were said to be involved in the Tekalguda attack in 2021 where 22 security personnel were martyred.
Barse and Bhime were carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh each while the others had a cumulative reward of Rs 16 lakh, announced on them by the government.
