Chhattisgarh witnessed two intense encounters between security forces and Maoists, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 Maoists and one security personnel, officials reported on Thursday. The operations took place in Bijapur and Kanker districts as part of ongoing anti-Maoist initiatives.
Bijapur Encounter Claims 26 Maoist Lives
A major gun battle erupted under the jurisdiction of the Gangalur police station in Bijapur district, near the border of Dantewada. The clash, involving a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, led to the death of 26 Maoists. One DRG jawan also lost his life in the fierce exchange of fire. Security forces are continuing search operations in the area to locate additional Maoists and recover bodies.
Four Maoists Killed in Kanker Operation
In a parallel operation in Kanker district, security forces gunned down four Maoists. The encounter was part of a coordinated offensive by the BSF and DRG, aimed at dismantling Maoist strongholds in the region. In addition to neutralizing the insurgents, the forces seized a significant cache of weapons and ammunition.
Amit Shah Hails Operation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend the security forces for their success. “Today, our soldiers have achieved another major success in the direction of ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.’ 22 Naxalites were killed in two separate operations by our security forces in Bijapur and Kanker of Chhattisgarh,” he wrote.
Shah reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to eradicating Maoist insurgency, stating, “The Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against Naxalites and is adopting a zero-tolerance policy against those who refuse to surrender despite the government’s rehabilitation initiatives. The country is set to be Naxal-free before March 31 next year.”
Ongoing Anti-Maoist Operations
The recent encounters follow a series of crackdowns on Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh. On February 9, a similar operation in Bijapur resulted in the deaths of 31 Maoists and two security personnel. Additionally, in February, security forces arrested 18 Naxalites and recovered large quantities of explosives.
So far, in 2025, more than 81 Maoists have been killed in counterinsurgency operations across Chhattisgarh. The state continues to witness intensified efforts from security agencies to dismantle Maoist networks and restore peace in affected regions.
Sources By Agencies
