New Delhi: An inspector of the Madhya Pradesh police attained martyrdom during an encounter with Maoists near the Madhya Pradesh- Chhattisgarh border on November 19.
The gunfight reportedly broke out near the Kauhapani forest area of Rajnandgaon district where security forces from both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh had launched an anti-Maoist operation.
The slain police official has been identified as 40-year-old Ashish Sharma, a decorated officer of the hawk force (a specialised counter-insurgency unit of the MP police).
Sharma had received two gallantry medals and was part of the major encounter in Raunda forest area of Balaghat where three hardcore Maoists were gunned down in encounter in February this year.
Sharma sustained serious bullet injuries during the gun battle and was rushed to Dongargarh where he succumbed to his injuries. The attack occurred when the forces were combing the area.
The Maoists reportedly opened heavy fire on the security team to which the latter retaliated. The gunfight reportedly continued for several hours during which Sharma was struck with multiple shots.
A search operation is still reported to be underway in the area and more details about the encounter are still awaited.
The incident occurred on the heels of security forces neutralising top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday.
Hidma, a central committee member of CPI (Maoist) was one of the most feared Naxal commander. He was considered the mastermind behind several deadly attacks on the security forces and was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore.
The gunfight also led to neutralisation of 5 other Maoists including Hidma’s wife Rajee, another hardcore member of the outlawed group.
Reacting to this, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday hailed the security forces, calling the development a “decisive achievement in the fight against Naxalism.”
Chief Minister Sai reiterated that the neutralization of Madvi Hidma, long regarded as the face of bloodshed, violence, and fear in Bastar, marks not only a tactical victory but a significant blow to the Red terror. He emphasized that this moment strengthens the government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace across the region.
The Chief Minister noted that the past several months have seen a surge in surrenders, arrests of senior Naxal cadres, and a series of successful operations.
Expressing optimism about the broader national strategy, Chief Minister Sai said he is confident that with continued Union–State coordination, Bharat will be completely free of Naxalism by March 2026.
Security Forces have intensified campaign against Naxals in Chhattisgarh and other bordering states marred by red terror.
In a major crackdown, police on Tuesday also arrested as many as 50 Maoists from multiple districts of Andhra Pradesh. The development occurred amidst security forces neutralising at least 6 Maoists in a separate encounter at Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border on Wednesday.
