Raipur
Security forces and Naxals exchanged fire in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, in an ongoing encounter this morning. Reports indicate three Naxals have been killed, though official confirmation is awaited. Firing between both sides continues.
The encounter is taking place in the forest areas of Bhejji and Chintagufa police station limits. Based on intelligence inputs about a large presence of Naxals, a District Reserve Guard (DRG) team launched a search operation.
When the security personnel reached the area early on Sunday, the Naxals opened fire. The jawans quickly took position and retaliated. Reports also suggest the recovery of a large cache of weapons.
Past Operations Yield Success
This operation follows a major encounter on 11 November in the National Park Area of Bijapur district, where six Naxals, including three women, were killed.
Among the deceased were Bucchanna, the in-charge of the Madded Area Committee, and Urmila, wife of top Naxal leader Paparao. Paparao reportedly managed to escape the spot.
Dr. Jitendra Yadav, Superintendent of Police (SP), Bijapur, confirmed that the killed Naxals carried a total bounty of ₹27 lakh. After the successful operation, DRG jawans brought the bodies to the district headquarters.
Key Area Committees Decimated
The recent operations have successfully emptied key Naxal Area Committees:
- Kamalu, the in-charge of the Bhairamgarh Area Committee, surrendered, leaving the area committee vacant.
- Dinesh Modiyam, the in-charge of the Gangalur Area Committee, also surrendered.
- The killing of Bucchanna has now left the Madded Area Committee vacant.
It is reported that only one or two areas in the district now have a significant Naxal presence.
Focus on Top Naxal Leadership
Police officials in Bijapur state that only about 10 top Naxals remain from the original structure of the Naxal organisation.
According to Bijapur SP Dr. Jitendra Yadav, the forces are targeting the top Naxal leaders. “**We have inputs regarding Devji and Hidma. Surrender is the only option left for them to save their lives. Anyone who comes in the way will be killed,” he stated.
Intelligence officers and surrendered Naxals told the newspaper that Devji and Hidma have been hiding in the hills and forests of the Karregutta region since the operation began there. They are reportedly moving without uniform or weapons to avoid identification, as the police do not have their latest photographs.
Senior police officials assert that Devji and Hidma will not surrender but will fight till the end. They believe that surrendering would lead to them being branded as ‘traitors’ by their comrades, similar to Bhupati and Rupesh. The Naxals are also reportedly waiting for a deadline of 31 March 2026, hoping the anti-Naxal operations will stop, allowing them to regroup.
