The death toll in the ongoing Maoist–security forces encounter in Bijapur district of south Bastar has risen to 18, following the recovery of six additional bodies on Thursday. The intense operation, which began on November 3 in the Keshkuthul forest under Bhairamgarh police station limits — a known Maoist stronghold — continued through Thursday evening.

Six more bodies recovered; encounter still underway

Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P. Sunderraj confirmed the fresh recoveries, stating that intermittent gunfire between Maoists and security forces was still ongoing. On Wednesday, security personnel had recovered 12 bodies, while Thursday’s operations brought the total to 18.

Of the slain Maoists, 16 carried a collective bounty of ₹1.30 crore, and nine were women. All except two have been identified.

A large cache of arms and ammunition was seized from the site, including:

  • 1 Light Machine Gun (LMG)
  • 4 AK-47 rifles
  • 4 SLR rifles
  • 2 .303 rifles
  • 4 single-shot rifles
  • 1 muzzle-loading rifle
  • Hand grenades
  • 2 Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGLs)

Officials described the recovery as one of the most significant seizures in recent anti-Maoist operations.

Prominent Maoist divisional leader among the dead

Among those neutralised was Vella Modiyam, a divisional committee member of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and head of its Company No. 2. He carried a ₹10 lakh bounty and was allegedly involved in major attacks, including:

  • The 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma, which killed 17 security personnel
  • The Tekalgudem attack in Bijapur, where 22 personnel were massacred
  • The 2013 Jheeram Ghati attack in Darbha, which killed 28 Congress leaders and four police officials

Fourteen others killed were area committee members, each carrying ₹8 lakh bounties, significantly weakening the Maoist presence in West Bastar. Police stated that the neutralisation of these cadres has “virtually decimated” the division.

Security personnel also suffer casualties

The ongoing encounter has also claimed the lives of three jawans, with two others injured. Senior police officials paid homage to the fallen personnel at Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar, on Thursday.

Security forces continue combing operations in the dense forest terrain, anticipating more recoveries as the exchange of fire persists.