Dantewada (Chhattisgarh): During the search operation after the fierce encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, three more bodies of Naxalites were recovered on Saturday morning, taking the total death toll to 31. About 13 of them are women Naxalites.
This intense clash between security forces and Naxalites unfolded on Friday, marking the highest number of fatalities in a single operation since the state's establishment 24 years ago.
The security forces have recovered the bodies of all the 31 deceased Naxalites from the spot and are returning to their base. The search operation is still continuing, indicating the gravity of the situation. It also reflects the persistent challenges faced by security personnel in addressing the Naxalite threat in the area. The number of Naxalites killed in the encounter is likely to increase, according to officials.
The encounter erupted in a forest area between the villages of Nendur and Thulthuli, located on the border of Dantewada and Narayanpur district. A joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) was conducting an anti-Naxal operation when the confrontation occurred. The intense gunfight lasted several hours, prompting ongoing search operations in the region.
Identification of Slain Naxals Continuing: Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P confirmed that the bodies recovered from the encounter site appear to be those of the members of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), specifically from Company No 6, Platoon 16 of the Maoist group.
This incident marks the highest number of Naxalite fatalities in a single operation, which comes more than five months after another significant encounter in Kanker district, where 29 Naxalites, including several senior cadres, were killed.
The security forces recovered a substantial cache of weapons at the scene, including an AK-47 rifle, a self-loading rifle (SLR), an INSAS rifle, a light machine gun (LMG), and a .303 rifle.
CM Vishnu Deo on Naxal Threat: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the security personnel for their effective operation and reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating the Naxal threat. He emphasised the importance of the 'double engine' government, referring to the coordinated efforts of the BJP-led state and central administrations. CM Sai said in a post on X, the 'double engine' government is determined to end the Naxal problem.
The encounter started on Friday when a joint team of security personnel went out on an anti-Naxal operation. DRG and Special Task Force (STF) personnel of Dantewada and Narayanpur were involved in this operation. The actual search operation was started on Thursday afternoon. Information was received about this operation that Company No. 6 and Maoists of East Bastar Division are present on the hills of Gawadi, Thulthuli, Nendur and Rengwaya villages.
IG Sundarraj said that a total of 31 Maoist bodies have been recovered so far during the search operation. The encounter site falls in the border area of both the districts and additional CRPF jawans have been sent to the spot.
A huge cache of weapons: This major success has been achieved in the stronghold of Indravati Area Committee, PLGA Company No. 06 and Platoon 16 of East Bastar Division. Apart from 31 bodies, a huge cache of weapons including an AK-47 rifle, an SLR (self-loading rifle), an INSAS rifle, an LMG rifle and a .303 rifle have also been recovered from the encounter site.
Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker and former Chief Minister Raman Singh congratulated the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the entire team for this. Raman Singh said that the foresight of Union Home Minister Amit Shah has done a great job for the double engine government in Chhattisgarh.
Talking to ETV Bharat, Deputy CM Vijay Sharma said, the operation that took place yesterday is the biggest operation against Naxalites in the history of Chhattisgarh. "I congratulate the soldiers for their bravery and strength," he said. During this Naxalite encounter, District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan Ramchandra Yadav was injured after coming under the impact of the Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL) fired by the Naxalites. He was immediately airlifted for treatment and admitted to a private hospital in Raipur, where his condition is said to be out of danger. Deputy CM Vijay Sharma reached Raipur hospital and met the jawan and enquired about his health.
Of the 31 slain Naxalites, there are 13 women maoists and 18 males. About 16 of these Naxalites have been identified. They are as follows:
- Policy, DKSZC(Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee)
- Suresh Salam, DVCM, (Division Committee Member)
- Meena Madkam, DVCM
- Arjun, PLGA Company 6 (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army)
- Sundar, PLGa Company 6
- Budhram, PLGA Company 6
- Sukku, PLGA Company 6
- Sohan, Barsoor
- Phulo, PLGa Company 6
- Basanti, PLGA Company 6
- Somme, PLGA Company 6
- Jamila alias Budhri, PLGA Company 6
- Naxalite Ramder
- Naxalite Suklu alias Vijay
- Naxals gathered
- Naxalite Sonu Korram
A reward of more than Rs 1 crore 30 lakhs has been declared on these 16 Naxalites. The process of identifying the other 15 Naxalites is underway.
So far, this year, a total of 188 Maoists have been killed in various encounters in the Bastar region, which encompasses seven districts, including Dantewada and Narayanpur. The recent encounter highlights the ongoing challenges in combating Naxalite insurgency in the area.
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