Security Forces Kill 31 Naxalites in Major Operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur District
In a significant crackdown on Left-Wing Extremism, security forces eliminated 31 Naxalites during an intense encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Sunday, officials said. The operation, which took place in the Indravati National Park area, also claimed the lives of two security personnel, while two others sustained injuries.
According to Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, the operation involved over 650 security personnel who launched a coordinated assault from multiple directions, successfully targeting the Naxalites in their stronghold.
A Coordinated Strike
The encounter occurred in the morning when a joint team of personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and Bastar Fighters—specialized units of the state police—was conducting an anti-Naxalite operation, said Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P.
“So far, the bodies of 31 Naxalites in uniform have been recovered from the site. A significant cache of weapons, including AK-47s, INSAS rifles, SLRs, .303 rifles, and Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGL), along with explosives, has been seized,” the official stated.
Two security personnel—one from the DRG and another from the STF—lost their lives in the operation. The two injured personnel, reported to be in stable condition, were airlifted to a medical facility for better treatment.
Reinforcements have been dispatched to the area, and search operations are ongoing, authorities said.
Leadership’s Commitment to Ending Naxalism
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism, describing it as a “cancer” afflicting the country. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chhattisgarh will be free of Naxalism by March 2026.
“The sacrifice of our soldiers will not be in vain. I pray for the departed souls and extend my condolences to their families. I also wish for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans,” Sai said.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma echoed these sentiments, praising the security forces for successfully infiltrating a region long considered a Naxalite haven. “This operation demonstrates our resolve to dismantle Naxal strongholds and restore peace to the region,” he remarked.
Progress Against Naxalism
So far this year, 81 Naxalites have been killed in various operations across Chhattisgarh, with 65 of them neutralized in the Bastar division, which includes Bijapur. Last year, security forces neutralized 219 Naxalites in separate encounters, including a high-profile operation on October 4, 2024, where 38 Naxalites were killed in the Abhujmaad area near the Narayanpur-Dantewada border.
Sharma emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the developmental challenges in Bastar. “We are working to remove the IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) laid by Naxalites and are ensuring basic amenities like schools, hospitals, water supply, roads, anganwadis, and mobile connectivity reach every corner of the region,” he said.
Looking Ahead
As security forces continue to make progress in the fight against Naxalism, the Bijapur operation marks another step toward reclaiming areas under extremist control. Both the state and central governments have reiterated their commitment to eradicating Naxalism and ensuring the safety and development of affected regions.
With nearly 31 militants neutralized in this operation alone, officials believe the fight against Naxalism is moving steadily toward its conclusion. “Under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Sai, the goal of eradicating Naxalism by March 2026 is well within reach,” Sharma said.
