Chhattisgarh Naxal Encounter: 10-12 Naxalites Reported Killed; 1500 Personnel Surround Forest in Bijapur
Raipur
A fierce encounter was underway between security forces and Naxalites in the Pujari Kanker forest of Bijapur district on Thursday. Reports suggested that 10-12 Naxalites have been killed in the encounter. Sporadic firing is continuing from both sides.
Bastar IG Sundararaj P had confirmed the encounter. Approximately 1200-1500 personnel, including DRG Sukma, DRG Dantewada, various battalions of Cobra, and CRPF, have surrounded the Naxalites.
A large number of Naxalites, including some major leaders, are present in the forest. In a separate incident in Bijapur, two security personnel were injured in an IED blast.
On Thursday afternoon, two Cobra battalion personnel were caught in an IED blast in the Basaguda police station area of Bijapur district. They were admitted to the district hospital in critical condition. It is reported that the personnel had gone out on a search operation from the Putkel camp.
Naxalites had planted the IED in the area beforehand. The personnel stepped on the IED, triggering a massive explosion. Both personnel suffered leg injuries. A search operation is also underway in the area.
Earlier, on January 12, the force had killed 5 Naxalites, including 2 women, in the Madded area of Bijapur. Five bodies along with SLR and rifles were recovered from the spot. Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav had confirmed this.
Bastar IG had informed that the jawans had surrounded the Maoists of the National Park Area Committee since Sunday morning. Firing continued intermittently from morning till 3-4 pm in the Bandepara-Koranjed forest.
