Chhattisgarh: Three Naxalites Killed In Sukma Gun Battle, Yearly Maoist Toll Now 262

Security forces killed three Naxalites during an intense encounter in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Sunday, marking the latest success in ongoing anti-Maoist operations across the state. The exchange of fire took place in the forested terrain between the Bhejji and Chintagufa police station limits, an area known for repeated Naxal activity and difficult combat conditions.

According to Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, the gun battle began in the morning when a District Reserve Guard (DRG) team launched an operation based on intelligence inputs indicating the presence of Maoist cadres in the region. The DRG, a specialized force tasked with tackling Maoist insurgency, came under fire shortly after entering the dense hilly zone, prompting a retaliatory response.

Chavan confirmed that three Naxalites were neutralized during the confrontation. The operation continued through the day as security forces combed the area for additional insurgents who may have fled deeper into the forests. He added that the search operation remains ongoing to ensure the complete sanitization of the zone.

With these latest casualties, the number of Naxalites killed in Chhattisgarh this year has reached 262, underscoring the increased intensity of counter-insurgency efforts in 2024. Of these, a significant 233 were eliminated in the Bastar division, which includes seven districts such as Sukma and remains the epicenter of Maoist influence and conflict. Another 27 Naxalites were killed in encounters in Gariaband district, falling under the Raipur division. Additionally, two Naxalites were neutralized in the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district of the Durg division.

The escalating operations reflect a coordinated push by Chhattisgarh's security agencies to dismantle Maoist networks ahead of key administrative and development initiatives planned for the region. Sukma and neighboring districts have witnessed several high-intensity encounters this year as forces continue to penetrate deeper into areas where Maoists previously held strategic ground.

Officials said more operations will follow in the coming weeks, with a focus on intercepting movement corridors, destroying hideouts, and acting on real-time intelligence to weaken the Maoist presence further.