A Maoist insurgent was killed on Friday during an encounter with security forces in the Kistaram police station area of Sukma district, Chhattisgarh.
Acting on intelligence inputs about the presence of a large group of Maoists in the dense Kistaram forests, a joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) launched a search operation.
As the security personnel reached the suspected location, Maoist fighters opened fire, prompting a swift retaliation.
Sukma Police confirmed that one Maoist was shot dead during the exchange of gunfire.
The search operation is ongoing.
CoBRA Soldier Killed In Abujhmad Encounter Honoured
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma carried the mortal remains of CoBRA battalion soldier Mehul Solanki, who was killed in a separate Maoist encounter in the Abujhmad forest region of Narayanpur on May 21.
Solanki died during a fierce exchange of fire between Maoists and security forces.
Top Maoist Leader Basava Raju Neutralised
In a breakthrough, security forces eliminated Basava Raju, one of India’s most wanted Maoist leaders, during an encounter on the Narayanpur-Dantewada border on Wednesday.
Raju, a politburo member and general secretary of the Naxal organisation, carried a bounty of ₹10 crore on his head.
DRG forces led the operation that resulted in the deaths of Raju and 26 other Maoists, including Jangu Naveen alias Madhu, a Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member with a ₹25 lakh bounty.
Security Forces Celebrate Major Victory
Following the successful operation, DRG soldiers celebrated in the jungle, dancing, singing, and playing with colours.
Family members of returning personnel performed ‘Aarti’ ceremonies.
Fireworks lit up Narayanpur city as locals joined in celebrating the victory. Videos of the jubilant scenes quickly circulated in the media.
During the operation, security personnel recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition. Recovered weapons included:
- 3 AK-47 rifles
- 4 SLR rifles
- 6 INSAS rifles
- 1 carbine
- 6 .303 rifles
- 1 BGL launcher
- 1 rocket launcher
- 2 Bara bore guns
- 2 Bharmar guns
Police officials confirmed that several other slain Maoists had rewards ranging from ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
The total bounty for all neutralised militants amounted to ₹11.6 crore.
Security Forces Maintain High Alert
Security operations continue across Maoist-affected regions of Chhattisgarh, as forces aim to dismantle remaining insurgent networks and prevent retaliatory attacks.
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