Chhattisgarh: 16 Maoists Killed In Fierce Clash With Security Forces On Sukma-Dantewada Border

16 Maoists were killed and two soldiers injured during a clash with security forces in the woodlands of the Upampalli Kerlapal region near the Sukma-Dantewada border.

Shooting erupted in the early morning hours within a forest under Kerlapal police jurisdiction, where a combined team of security personnel was conducting an operation against Naxalites, according to an official.

Photo Credit: PTI

The mission, which began on Friday night following intelligence about Maoist activity in the Kerlapal area, included members of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

"So far, the bodies of 16 Naxalites have been retrieved from the encounter site, and the operation is still underway," the official stated.

Two security personnel received minor injuries during the effort, the official noted.

Back in February, 31 Maoists and two security personnel lost their lives in a firefight in the forests of Indravati National Park in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

That incident had been the most significant attack on Left Wing Extremists this year, raising the 2025 death toll to 81.

The operation was launched by security forces on Friday and resulted in an encounter around 8 am, explained Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range), Sunderraj P.

He mentioned that the action was prompted by precise intelligence about insurgents from the National Park Area Committee of the CPI (Maoist).

(With PTI inputs)