Balaghat: In a significant breakthrough, security forces have gunned down 4 Maoist cadres in an exchange of fire that took place in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh (MP) on June 14, said officials.
The gunfight occurred in the hilly area of Pachma Dadar under the jurisdiction of Bithli police station resulting in neutralization of 4 Maoists including three female cadres. A few of the Maoists however managed to flee from the spot.
“Four Naxalites, including three women, have been neutralised in an encounter which took place in the hilly area of Pachama Dadar of Bithli police station. A hand grenade, a rocket launcher, a 315 rifle and cartridges have been recovered. Some Naxalites fled. Search operation is ongoing,” said Special DG Naxal Pankaj Shrivastava.
Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh | While speaking to ANI over the phone, Special DG Naxal, Pankaj Srivastava says, "Four Naxalites, including three women, have been neutralised in an encounter which took place in the hilly area of Pachama Dadar of Bithli police station. A hand grenade,…
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2025
The operation was launched in the forests of Rupjhar, Pachma Dadar by personnel of hawk force, a specialized counter-insurgency unit of the MP police.
Personnel of hawk force in a swift operation had also neutralised two seasoned female Maoists in neighbouring Mandala district in April this year. The gunfight had taken place in forest areas under the jurisdiction of Bichiya Police station.
Notably, three women Maoists were also neutralised in an exchange of fire with the police in Balaghat district in February this year. The gunfight occurred under Garhi police station limits.
It must be noted that Balaghat, Mandala and Dindori districts of the state are affected by red terror. All these districts are believed to be part of the Maoist’s Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone created in 2019.
It is being assumed that the Maoists created the said zone to relocate themselves given the mounting pressure of security forces in Abujhmad and south Bastar region of Chhattisagrh.
Strict vigil by security forces in the bordering areas of MP, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division however has foiled the attempt of the group to increase their presence in the proposed MMC zone.
CRPF Jawan martyred in anti-Maoist ops in Odisha
In other news, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, injured in an IED blast in a forest area in Odisha’s Sundargarh district succumbed to his injuries on June 14, officials said.
The deceased jawan has been identified as Satyaban Kumar Singh, posted at the CRPF 134 Battalion. The 34-year-old security personnel sustained injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during a combing operation in a forest.
“Troops of 134 Bn and SOG Odisha conducted an Operation, wherein an IED Blast took place. ASI/GD Satyaban Kumar Singh (34) of 134 Bn sustained injuries in his left leg. The injured person was evacuated to a hospital in Rourkela in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries,” CRPF said in a statement.
The body of the fallen personnel was later taken to Ranchi where Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren paid tribute to him.
#WATCH Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren says, “…This incident happened during an operation. In the last several years, big operations have been continuously carried out in Jharkhand and the surrounding states, with great success. We are all saddened by this… https://t.co/fGTah5hnf7 pic.twitter.com/3HcT586Wlv
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2025
“This incident happened during an operation. In the last several years, big operations have been continuously carried out in Jharkhand and the surrounding states, with great success. We are all saddened by this incident. The government stands with the family of the jawan,” said CM Soren.
(With inputs from agencies)
