Eight Naxalites Killed in Encounter with Security Forces in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh
A fierce encounter took place on Saturday between security forces and Naxalites in the Gangaloor police station area of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. According to news agency PTI, eight Naxalites have been killed in the encounter, and the toll is likely to rise. Intermittent firing has been ongoing from both sides since around 8:30 am.  

It is reported that the security forces have surrounded a large cadre of Maoists. Bastar IG Sundarraj P has confirmed the encounter. The police had received information about the presence of a large number of Naxalites in the forests of Gangaloor area.  

Based on this information, a joint team of DRG, STF, Cobra 202, and CRPF 222 battalion personnel from Bijapur launched a search operation. The operation is still ongoing.  

In the past month, more than 50 Naxalites have been killed in encounters between security personnel and Naxalites.
When the soldiers reached the area on Saturday morning, the Naxalites opened fire on them. The soldiers retaliated strongly, giving a fitting response to the Naxalites’ gunfire. However, it is not yet clear how much damage the Naxalites have suffered in this encounter. IG Sundarraj P said that the encounter is going on and a search operation is also being conducted.

16 Naxalites killed in Gariaband 10 days ago

An encounter also took place in the forests of Gariaband district on January 20-21. In this operation, which lasted for about 80 hours, 16 Naxalites were killed. Out of these, a total of Rs 3 crore 16 lakh was declared as a reward on 12 Naxalites.

Among the Naxalites killed was Chalapathi, a member of the Naxalites’ central committee. A reward of 90 lakh was placed on Chalapathi alone. Satyam Gawde, the head of the Nuapada-Gariaband-Dhamtari Divisional Committee, was also killed in the encounter.