Chhattisgarh Encounter: Operation Completes As 16 Maoists Killed In Gariaband

After a four-day-long operation in Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh, police confirmed that 16 Maoists were neutralized.

The security forces, which included the Chhattisgarh Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Odisha’s Special Operations Group (SOG), successfully concluded the encounter on Wednesday, recovering a significant cache of weapons.

Chhattisgarh Encounter Details And Casualties

The operation, which began on Sunday, led to the recovery of multiple firearms, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, and other automatic weapons from the site of the encounter. Two security personnel sustained injuries during the operation and are currently receiving medical treatment, as confirmed by Gariaband Superintendent of Police (SP) Nikhil Khecha.

Among the neutralized Maoists, authorities reported that one carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore. Police are now working on identifying the other deceased individuals.

Union Home Minister Applauds Security Forces’ Success

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the successful operation, calling it a “mighty blow” to Maoism. Shah stated on social media platform X, “Another mighty blow to Maoism. Our security forces achieved major success in building a Maoist-free Bharat.

“The CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralized 14 Maoists in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Maoist-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Maoism is breathing its last today”, the post further read.

IEDs Neutralized In Bijapur

In a related development, security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district successfully neutralized eight Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) weighing 5 kg each. The devices were planted by Maoists along the road from Mutvendi to Pidia under Gangalur police station limits.

The IEDs were discovered during a patrolling operation by a team from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) Bijapur, Cobra battalions. The security forces’ swift action prevented potential harm in the region.

Chhattisgarh Encounters Detail

This follows a separate encounter on Monday when security forces killed two female Naxalites during an operation in Gariaband. One personnel from the CRPF’s elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) sustained a minor injury. The encounter took place in a forest area under Firur police station limits, along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, as part of an ongoing anti-Maoist operation.

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