Raipur
In a significant operation in the Abujhmad area, security forces in Chhattisgarh killed eight Naxalites on Thursday. By late evening, reports indicated that seven Naxalites had been killed. Narayanpur police recovered the bodies of two Maoists, while Abujhmad police retrieved the bodies of five more Naxalites. A large cache of weapons was also found at the scene. The identities of the deceased Naxalites have not yet been confirmed.
The police had received information that Naxalites from Platoon No. 16 and the Indravati Area Committee were present in the Rekawaya area of Abujhmad. With precise location data, forces from three districts—Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada—were deployed for the operation, considering the area’s challenging terrain.
By 11 PM on Thursday, a large number of Naxalites were surrounded in the forests of Rekawaya, and intermittent gunfire was exchanged from both sides. Sources indicated that the Naxalites had established a base in Abujhmad. The security forces remain at the site, continuing their search operation, which is expected to conclude by this afternoon, after which more information will be available.
According to the police, teams from the DRG (District Reserve Guard), Bastar Fighters, and STF (Special Task Force) of Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Bijapur districts launched a search operation following information about the presence of Naxalites from Platoon No. 16 and the Indravati Area Committee in the Narayanpur-Bijapur border area. At 11 AM, the Naxalites opened fire on the security forces.
The Naxalites’ location was also connected to the border of Dantewada and Bijapur. Consequently, by 9 PM on Wednesday, forces from all three districts launched a coordinated operation in the jungle. The plan ensured that all soldiers would reach Abujhmad simultaneously, preventing the Naxalites from escaping.
The first encounter between the Narayanpur DRG, STF, and the Naxalites occurred at 11 AM on Thursday in Rekawaya. Meanwhile, another team from Dantewada also engaged in a confrontation with Naxalites. The entire operation proceeded as planned.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma announced an updated surrender policy for Naxalites from Bastar on Wednesday at 1 PM, offering them a chance to provide input on the policy. Eight hours later, a major operation against the Naxalites commenced. It is believed that the government has sent a clear message to the Naxalites: surrender or be prepared to die in encounters.
So far this year, security forces have killed over 110 Naxalites, with 29 being killed simultaneously in Kanker and around 45 in Bijapur. Approximately 300 Naxalites have surrendered across the division, with the highest number of surrenders occurring in Dantewada.
CM Vishnudev Sai praised the security forces for their bravery and success in the encounter, vowing to continue the fight against Naxalism and eradicate it.
On May 18, a hardcore Naxalite with a bounty was killed in an encounter with DRG soldiers in Sukma. The operation, which took place between the forests and streams of Banjara Para in the Polampalli police station area, also resulted in the recovery of the Naxalite’s body, weapons, explosives, and other Naxal materials.
