Bijapur: A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Bijapur for District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel who lost their lives fighting Maoists in encounter near Dantewada-Bijapur inter district border on December 3.
Tributes were paid to Head Constable Monu Vadadi and Constables Dukaru Gonde and Ramesh Sodhi who got martyred in the encounter in Gangloor that led to neutralization of at least 18 Maoists.
The encounter that broke out around 9 in the morning of December 3 lasted for around 12 hours after which the security team recovered bodies of 18 Maoists.
Officials confirmed that divisional committee member and commander of Company no 2 of the People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) Billa Moudiyami was also among those gunned down in the encounter.
The security team also recovered a cache of weapons including a Light Machine Gun (LMG), SLR, AK-47, a three not three rifle and others from the site of the gunfight. A search operation in the vicinity of the site is still underway.
“In the search operation after the encounter, the dead bodies of around 18 Maoists were recovered. The search operation (combing) is still ongoing. DVCM and PLG(A) Company 2 Commander Billa Moudiyami and another company commander have been killed. The other killed Naxalites are being identified. A significant number of weapons, including LMG, SLR, AK-47, .303 weapons and graded weapons, have been recovered from the encounter site,” said IG Bastar range P Sundarraj.
#WATCH | Bijapur, Chhattisgarh | Bastar IG P. Sundarraj says, "As per the intent of the Government of India and Government of Chhattisgarh, and as per the wish of the people of the state, security forces are regularly carrying out operations against Naxalites in the Bastar… https://t.co/Xjdb9UsLQz pic.twitter.com/rdaYd1sDMA
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2025
“The clash was ongoing for nearly 12 hours. Our jawans fought bravely. DRG Bijapur Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde and Jawan Ramesh Sodhi fought bravely, but unfortunately were killed in action. Last salutes were paid to the deceased at Bijapur police line in the presence of public representatives, senior officials, family and the people,” he added.
Two other personnel who got injured in the encounter is said to be out of danger and are being treated at the moment.
The operation was launched by a joint team of DRG, Special Task Force (STF) and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) upon receiving credible intel of presence of a Maoist formation under notorious Maoist commander Paparao.
Earlier on Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also paid his tributes to the martyred personnel.
“In the ongoing anti-Naxal operation in Bijapur district, today our brave security forces have neutralized 12 Maoists. Continuous search and combing operations are underway in the area. In this encounter, DRG Bijapur’s Head Constable Monu Wadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and Constable Ramesh Sodi have made the supreme sacrifice. I pay my humble tribute to these brave soldiers. I pray to God to grant strength to the bereaved families to bear this unbearable grief and to give place to the departed souls at His divine feet,” said CM Sai in a post on social media platform X.
“The other two soldiers injured in the encounter are out of danger. Arrangements have been made for their proper treatment. I wish for their speedy and complete recovery. The sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain. The bravery and successful action of our valiant personnel is a clear indication that the end of red terror is now very near. Our government and our security forces remain steadfast in their resolve for the ‘complete elimination of Maoism.’ This campaign will continue unabated until the light of peace, security, and development reaches the last village of Bastar. Jai Hind,” he added.
The battle against red terror has reached its final stages with security forces neutralising more than 275 Maoists in numerous operations launched in Chhattisgarh since January 2025. The Union Government has announced a deadline to eradicate Maoist insurgency from the country by March next year.
