30 Maoists Killed In Fierce Encounter By Security Forces In Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur

In a significant operation against Naxal forces, at least 30 suspected Maoists were neutralized in an engagement with security personnel in the dense forests of Abujhmad, Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh. This confrontation, occurring on a Friday, marks a momentous success in the ongoing efforts to combat Naxalism in the region. The operation, characterized by meticulous planning and execution, involved a joint team of security forces conducting an anti-Naxal operation along the Narayanpur-Dantewada inter-district border.

This operation stands as the largest victory for security forces since a previous encounter on April 16 in Kanker district, which resulted in the elimination of 29 Maoists. According to Gaurav Rai, the Superintendent of Police for Dantewada, the clash with the Maoists is ongoing, with the potential for the casualty figure to rise as operations continue into the night. Security forces have cordoned off the Maoists in the jungles of Thulthuli and Gevdi villages, located to the south of Abujhmad, with teams still active in the area and continuous monitoring in progress.

"The encounter is still going on. Till now 30 Maoists have been killed and figures can increase in the night as the encounter is still in progress," stated Rai, emphasizing the fluidity of the situation. In the midst of the operation, security forces have already recovered a significant cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a self-loading rifle (SLR), from the encounter site. The exact inventory of weapons and ammunition recovered is yet to be fully determined, with plans to identify the deceased Maoists set for Saturday.

The operation was informed by intelligence that senior cadres of the East Bastar Division of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) had gathered for a meeting in the jungles of Thulthuli village. Acting on this information, a significant force comprising over 1000 security personnel from the district reserve guard (DRG) of both Dantewada and Narayanpur districts initiated the anti-Naxal operation on Thursday night.

In a series of intense operations, security forces have killed at least 185 Maoists in multiple gun battles across Chhattisgarh's Bastar region this year, according to police reports. The Bastar region, known for its Maoist presence, spans seven districts, including Dantewada and Narayanpur.

On April 16, security personnel clashed with Maoist rebels in Kanker district, resulting in the death of 29 Naxalites, including some high-ranking cadres, marking a significant blow to the insurgent group.

Chhattisgarh CM Praises Security Forces' Success

Following reports of the latest Maoist casualties, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the security forces for their relentless efforts. The chief minister has convened a high-level meeting with senior police officials at his Raipur residence on Friday evening to discuss the state's anti-Naxal operations.

"This is a commendable achievement by our soldiers. I salute their courage and indomitable spirit," Sai stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He reaffirmed the government's commitment to eradicating Naxalism, adding, "Our fight against Naxalism will end only with its complete eradication. Our double-engine government is determined to eliminate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh."