In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s anti-Maoist campaign, six Naxalites were gunned down in a fierce encounter with security forces in the Bijapur district. The operation unfolded in the dense forests of Indravati National Park when a coordinated team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) acted upon credible information about senior Maoist leaders operating in the region. The gunfight, which began around 10 am, lasted for several hours, with intermittent firing exchanged between the security personnel and the insurgents. Post-encounter searches led to the recovery of the bodies of six Maoists, along with their lethal weaponry, including an INSAS rifle, sten guns, a .303 rifle, and significant quantities of explosives. The state government has hailed the operation as a pivotal moment in the mission to eradicate Naxalism, emphasizing the commitment to a Naxal-free state. This successful engagement adds to the growing number of Naxalites neutralized this year, bringing the total to 259. Meanwhile, authorities also apprehended an injured Naxalite following a separate encounter in the Tarlaguda area, who is now receiving medical care. The coordinated efforts by multiple security agencies underscore the comprehensive approach being taken to restore peace and security.
