In a significant operation, security forces have reported the elimination of 29 Maoist rebels in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, just days before the nation heads to the polls. The encounter occurred in the Kanker area near Bastar, a known stronghold of the rebels, marking one of the deadliest clashes in recent years, as confirmed by state police officials.
Chhattisgarh has grappled with a persistent insurgency by Maoists, who claim to champion the rights of the impoverished. The timing of the operation is crucial, as the people of Bastar are scheduled to cast their votes on the inaugural day of the general election, while Kanker’s turn comes on April 26th.
According to authorities, the clash ensued following intelligence indicating the presence of senior leaders from the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Kanker. A fierce gunfight erupted during the subsequent search operation, leading to the neutralization of 29 Maoist insurgents and the recovery of a significant cache of arms.
Among the deceased, two senior members of the CPI (Maoist) are believed to be included, as stated by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Federal Home Minister Amit Shah commended the security personnel for their success in the operation during his recent visit to Chhattisgarh for election campaigning.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to combat the Maoist insurgency, Mr. Shah vowed to rid the nation of this menace. The Maoist rebellion, which originated in West Bengal in the late 1960s, has spread across numerous districts in India, controlling vast swathes of territory along the “red corridor” from the northeast to central India.
Although military and police offensives have pushed the rebels into forested areas, sporadic clashes between security forces and insurgents continue, resulting in casualties on both sides.
