As many as 12 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Friday, marking the third major operation against the left-wing extremists in a month and bringing the total number of fatalities in the state this year to 103, news agency PTI reported.
Two security personnel sustained injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast triggered by Maoists during the operation, the report said.
The gunfight occurred in a forest near Pidia village under Gangaloor police station limits during an anti-Naxal operation involving a joint team of security personnel, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Bijapur, Dantewada, and Sukma districts, Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force (STF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action).
The operation was launched based on intelligence regarding the presence of PLGA commander Vella and Gagladoor area committee secretary Dinesh Modiyam, along with 100 to 150 cadres in the forest.
The encounter began around 6 AM and involved multiple exchanges of fire in various locations within the area. After the confrontation ceased, the bodies of 12 Naxalites were recovered, with their identities yet to be confirmed, the report said.
Additionally, security forces seized weaponry including a barrel grenade launcher (BGL), a 12-bore gun, a country-made rifle, BGL shells, explosives, Moaist uniforms, bags, medicines, and propaganda materials from the encounter site. As per the PTI report, a search operation in the area is underway.
The two injured security personnel were shifted to a local hospital for treatment and will subsequently be airlifted to Raipur for further medical attention.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai commended the security forces for their success in Bijapur, saying, “Our security forces have achieved a major success as 12 bodies of Naxalites have been recovered so far”.
This incident brings the total number of Naxalites killed in Chhattisgarh to 103 this year.
Previously, on April 16, 29 Naxalites were killed in an encounter in the Kanker district marking the highest number of casualties suffered by the Naxalites in a single operation.
