File photo of Maoists somewhere in a forest in central India.
Raipur: A large-scale encounter between security forces and Naxalites in the dense forests along the Narayanpur-Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh has resulted in one of the most significant anti-Maoist operations in the state’s history. The encounter, which started on Thursday, has so far led to the recovery of at least 31 bodies of Naxalites.
Out of them, 18 are men and 13 are women, the Bastar Range inspector general of police, Sundarraj P, said.
Reports suggest the death toll may rise further as the operation is still ongoing. One DRG trooper, identified as Ramchandra Yadav, was injured during the operation but is reportedly in stable condition after being airlifted to the state capital, Raipur, for treatment.
This operation is seen as a major blow to the Naxalite movement in the Bastar region, which has been a hotbed of Maoist activity for decades. The success of this operation is attributed to the meticulous planning and execution by the security forces, who managed to infiltrate a heavily fortified Naxalite stronghold.
The joint operation, which reportedly involved 1,500 security personnel, was conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) personnel, supported by additional Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units in a remote and difficult terrain. The clash occurred in the Abujmarh (Abhujmaad) forest area, a stronghold for Naxalites, located along the Narayanpur and Dantewada districts’ border.
According to sources in the Chhattisgarh administration, the security forces acted on intelligence reports that indicated the presence of members of the outlawed People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), including senior leaders of the outfit’s so-called Company No. 6 and Platoon 16, and the East Bastar Division, which are active in the region.
During the encounter, the security forces seized a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, self-loading rifles (SLR), INSAS rifles, light machine guns (LMGs), and other firearms. The recovery of these weapons from the encounter area indicates the level of firepower the Maoist groups have been operating with.
This operation also marks one of the largest and most successful efforts to weaken the Naxalite movement in recent years. It follows months of smaller encounters that have led to the deaths of over 170 Naxalites in the Bastar region this year alone.
Authorities said the search and combing operations are continuing, and officials expect more information to surface as the situation develops.
The Chhattisgarh chief minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, along with the Union home minister, Amit Shah, praised the efforts of the security personnel. They emphasized the importance of such successful operations in the government’s ongoing efforts to combat Naxalism.
Sai reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eliminate Maoist insurgency and called the operation a significant success for the “double engine” government’s strategy, which involves coordinated efforts between the BJP-run central and state governments. The chief minister has vowed to continue these operations until the Naxalite threat is completely eradicated.
Despite repeated efforts by security forces, the Naxalite insurgency remains one of India’s most persistent internal security threats, though successful operations, like this one, suggest that security forces are gradually gaining the upper hand.
