Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district became the site of a decisive security operation resulting in the neutralization of 18 Naxalites, including a high-ranking commander with a reward on his head. The gunfight erupted during an anti-Naxal operation in the dense forests along the Bijapur-Dantewada border. Authorities confirmed that the initial toll of 12 killed escalated to 18 with further recovery of bodies. The neutralized commander, Modiyam Vella, was a key figure in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and had been linked to several deadly ambushes, including the 2020 Minpa incident. His elimination represents a significant blow to Naxalite operations in the region. In addition to the Naxalite casualties, three DRG personnel were martyred during the encounter, and two others were wounded. The recovery of firearms, such as AK-47 and INSAS rifles, underscores the gravity of the confrontation and the arms possessed by the eliminated insurgents. The year has seen over 275 Naxalites neutralized in the state.
