An intense encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district has led to the elimination of 18 Naxalites by security forces. The operation, which began with an anti-Naxal drive in the forests along the Bijapur-Dantewada district border, culminated in a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region.
Officials confirmed on Thursday that 18 Naxalites were killed, including Modiyam Vella, a high-ranking commander in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). Vella, who carried an Rs 8 lakh bounty, was implicated in numerous violent incidents, notably the 2020 Minpa ambush that claimed the lives of 17 security personnel. The initial count of 12 fatalities was revised upwards after further recovery of bodies.
Following the gun battle, security forces secured a substantial collection of weapons and ammunition, including sophisticated firearms like AK-47 and INSAS rifles. The operation also resulted in the tragic loss of three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel from Bijapur: Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and Jawan Ramesh Sodhi. Two other DRG members sustained injuries during the clash.
This significant success marks a turning point in the state’s fight against insurgency. The number of Naxalites neutralized in Chhattisgarh this year has now reached 275, with a considerable number occurring in the Bastar area. Conversely, 23 security personnel have been martyred in the ongoing efforts to combat Naxalism throughout the state this year.
