Chhattisgarh: 30 Maoists, 1 Security Personnel Killed In Encounters

At least 30 Maoists were killed in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh, according to officials on Thursday. In Bijapur district, 26 Maoists were gunned down, while four others were killed in Kanker, both by a joint team of BSF and DRG personnel from the state police.

A police jawan also lost his life during the encounter in Bijapur. The joint team had been deployed under the Gangalur police station in the border areas of Bijapur and Dantewada districts as part of an anti-Maoist operation. Clashes and ongoing search operations are continuing in the area to locate more bodies.

In addition to the bodies of the Maoists, a significant cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the encounter sites. Union Home Minister Amit Shah commented on the operation in a post on X, stating, "Our soldiers have achieved another major success in the 'Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan'. 22 Naxalites were killed in two separate operations by our security forces in Bijapur and Kanker, Chhattisgarh." He further added, "The Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against Naxalites and adopting a zero-tolerance policy against those who refuse to surrender despite all available incentives. Our country will be Naxal-free by March 31 next year."

In a previous encounter in Bijapur on February 9, two security personnel and 31 Maoists were killed in the forests near the National Park. In total, 18 Naxalites were arrested in February, with explosives seized during security operations. This year, more than 81 Maoists have been killed as part of ongoing anti-Naxal operations.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with further details expected soon.