Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district became the site of a significant security operation on Wednesday, resulting in the neutralization of 18 Naxalites. The encounter occurred in the forest belt between Bijapur and Dantewada districts, where security forces were conducting an anti-insurgency sweep. The operation led to a fierce exchange of fire, culminating in the deaths of 18 Maoist cadres. Authorities confirmed that a high-value target, Modiyam Vella, a commander within the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and accused in the 2020 Minpa ambush, was among those eliminated. Vella, who carried an Rs 8 lakh reward, was a key figure in the Naxal hierarchy. Alongside the significant reduction in Naxalite numbers, security forces also recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles. The operation, however, was not without its casualties for the state. Three dedicated personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were martyred, and two others sustained injuries. The state has seen substantial success in anti-Naxal operations this year, with over 275 insurgents neutralized, underscoring the persistent efforts to combat left-wing extremism.
