10 Naxals killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

At least 10 Naxals were killed in a major encounter with security forces in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, on Friday morning. The gunfight occurred in the dense forested areas of Bhandarpadar, Korajuguda, Dantewada, and Nagaram, where security forces, including personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), had launched a search operation based on intelligence about Maoist presence in the region. The operation, which began early in the morning, was part of ongoing efforts to combat Naxal insurgency in the area.

During the encounter, security forces recovered a significant number of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, INSAS rifles, and Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), along with explosives and ammunition. The forces also seized Maoist uniforms and communication equipment used by insurgents. The exchange of fire between the security forces and Naxals lasted for several hours, with casualties on both sides. However, no injuries or casualties were reported among the security personnel involved in the operation. Inspector General of Police for the Bastar range, P Sundarraj, confirmed that the bodies of all 10 Naxals had been recovered. “The search operation is still underway,” he said, adding that further details would be shared as the operation progresses.

The encounter in Sukma comes amid heightened security operations in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh. The state has been a stronghold of Naxal activity for decades, with Maoist insurgents using the dense forests along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border as safe havens. Over 200 Naxals have been killed in such encounters across the state in 2024 alone. In addition to neutralizing insurgents, security forces are focusing on dismantling Maoist supply lines and capturing key leaders of the insurgent groups. The forces involved in the Sukma operation were also tasked with locating Maoist hideouts and safehouses.

The Chhattisgarh government, in close coordination with central forces, has ramped up operations in recent years as part of a broader strategy to eradicate Naxalism from the state. In recent meetings, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the government's commitment to making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by 2026. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai recently reported significant progress in counterinsurgency operations, stating that nearly 200 Naxals had been killed and over 600-700 others had surrendered in the past year. The ongoing efforts aim to weaken the Maoist leadership and eliminate their influence in remote areas of the state.

The Sukma encounter is a part of a series of coordinated security operations in the region, including those in neighboring districts such as Dantewada and Bijapur. These areas have long been affected by Maoist insurgency, where the Naxals have been known to extort resources from local communities and establish control over strategic routes and forests. The increased presence of security forces has been part of a larger push to cut off these insurgent groups from their traditional strongholds and reduce their operational capacity.

The operation in Sukma also follows a similar encounter in Malkangiri district, Odisha, where a Maoist was killed during an exchange of fire with security forces on Thursday. This highlights the continuous military pressure on Naxal groups operating in the border regions of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Security forces are expected to continue their efforts in these areas, with more operations planned to neutralize the remaining Maoist insurgents and ensure stability in the region. The search operation in Sukma is ongoing, with forces continuing to secure the area and recover any additional weaponry or explosives left behind by the Naxals.