Two Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh

Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense forests of Bijapur district on Saturday morning, police said. The operation was launched based on intelligence inputs regarding the presence of insurgents in the hilly terrain of the district’s northwest region.

A joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and other security units carried out the operation. An intermittent exchange of fire was reported, and officials confirmed that the bodies of the two Maoists along with recovered weapons were retrieved from the site. Further details are awaited as the operation continues.

Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj P, Bastar Range, said, “The operation is still in progress. We are prioritising the safety of our jawans. A detailed briefing will be provided once the teams return to the base.”

The encounter forms part of the ongoing anti-Maoist drive in Chhattisgarh. In 2024 alone, the security forces neutralised over 500 Maoists, with 285 killed in encounters last year. The Centre has set a March 31 deadline to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) from the state.

Authorities confirmed that senior Maoist leaders, including Papa Rao of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, remain at large. Rao, a key figure in the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit, has been linked to past ambushes, including the 2010 attack where 76 security personnel were killed.

Saturday’s encounter adds to a series of operations aimed at dismantling the remaining insurgent network in Chhattisgarh. Security forces continue their search in the forested hills, with efforts focused on apprehending remaining top leaders and ensuring the safety of personnel on the ground.