In a significant development, at least seven Maoists were neutralized in an encounter with security forces on the inter-district border of Narayanpur and Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh on Thursday afternoon.
The security forces received intelligence in the morning regarding the presence of Maoist military platoon number 16 and Indravati area committee members in the region. A joint team of around 1,000 personnel, including Bastar Fighters, District Reserve Guards (DRG), and Special Task Force (STF) members, led by DSP Rahul Uikey and DSP Ashish Netam, initiated an operation from various directions.
The encounter unfolded in the Barsur police station jurisdiction in Dantewada, approximately 10 kilometers deep into the Abujhmad forest area. The clash ensued around 11 am when Maoists opened fire on the forces, leading to intermittent exchanges lasting till evening. The security forces recovered the bodies of seven Maoists clad in People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) uniforms along with their weapons.
The encounter site is located 40 kilometers from the Dantewada district headquarters, marking the first operation in this area in approximately four years.
Security forces previously entered the Naxal heartland of Abujhmad from Kanker and Narayanpur districts earlier this year. Abujhmad spans across Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts, covering an expansive area of approximately 4000 square kilometers, larger than the state of Goa.
With this successful operation, the total tally of Maoists neutralized this year rises to 112.
