18 Maoists killed, 1 CRPF personnel and 2 DRG jawans injured in encounter in Chhattisgarh
A fierce encounter between security forces and Maoists erupted around 8 a.m. on Saturday along the border of the Sukma and Dantewada districts in southern Chhattisgarh. The gunfight resulted in the elimination of 18 Maoists while also leaving one CRPF personnel and two District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans injured.
The injured security personnel, including the CRPF officer from the 159 Battalion, were swiftly evacuated and taken to the district hospital in Sukma for medical treatment.
This latest confrontation adds to the growing tally of Maoists neutralized this year, bringing the total number of Naxals killed in anti-insurgency operations to 132.
According to officials, the skirmish was a part of a well-planned anti-Maoist operation launched by security forces. The gunfire exchange, which commenced in the early hours of the morning, continued for several hours. Sources confirmed that security forces have so far recovered the bodies of 16 Maoists from the site of the clash.
A significant cache of weapons and explosives was seized from the encounter site. Among the recovered arms were automatic rifles, including AK-47s, Self-Loading Rifles (SLR), INSAS rifles, and a .303 rifle. Additionally, high-powered weaponry such as a rocket launcher, Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL), and various explosives were also confiscated.
The operation was carried out jointly by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two forces actively engaged in counter-Maoist operations in the region.
Sukma and Bijapur are known strongholds of Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh. The area remains a focal point of Maoist activity, with Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the most feared unit of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), frequently operating in the dense forests of Sukma.
The latest offensive underscores the intensified efforts of security forces to dismantle Maoist networks and restore peace in the conflict-ridden region. Further combing operations are being conducted to track down any remaining insurgents and recover additional weapons or intelligence from the site.
