30 Maoists killed in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh's Bastar

RAIPUR: At least 30 Maoists were killed in separate encounters in Bijapur and Kanker districts of Bastar division in Chhattisgarh on Thursday, while a security personnel was also killed in the firing.
Twenty six Maoists were gunned down in insurgency-hit Bijapur and four were killed in Kanker, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj told TOI. He said that there were operations carried out simultaneously in different parts of Bastar with focus against Maoists of South Bastar division in Bijapur, Sukma and Dantewada.
Security forces have recovered 26 bodies along with automatic and semi-automatic weapons and explosives from the encounter site of Bijapur including AK 47, SLR, Insas, etc, IG said.
Four bodies from the forests along the borders of Kanker and Narayanpur districts, Kanker SP Kalyan Elesela said.
Saluting the valour of security forces, Chhattisgarh Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, “Bastar will be free from fear by 2026, this is certain. Our fight against Naxalism in the state continues with great strength. It is also with great sorrow to get the news of martyrdom of a DRG jawan during the encounter. His sacrifice will not go in vain.”
“With the unwavering resolve of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and Union Home Minister Amit Shah Ji to eliminate Naxalism from the country and the state by March 2026, our security forces are continually achieving success and moving swiftly toward the goal. The success achieved by our soldiers is commendable. I salute their courage and indomitable bravery,” CM Sai said.
Bastar police said that the operation is still underway in forests bordering Bijapur and Dantewada districts. The jawan Raju Oyam killed was a District Reserve Guards personnel and the body was evacuated.
IG Sundarraj said that a joint team of security forces comprising Bijapur and Sukma DRG, Cobra and CRPF personnel went out on anti-Naxal operation in Gangaloor area based on specific inputs about presence of Maoists. An exchange of fire took place around 7 am and intermittent firing went on till post noon.
Forces had rounded up a group of senior cadres of Maoists in the forest, sources said adding that the search is still underway.
In Kanker, another joint team of forces carried out operation based on specific inputs received on presence of Maoists of North Bastar Marh division. The searching team comprising DRG and Border Security Force faced an encounter with Maoists, killing four of them. Security forces have recovered automatic weapons, explosives along with four Naxal bodies.
So far 113 Maoists have been killed this year in Bastar and Gariaband districts.
Charandas Mahant, the Leader of Opposition in state legislative assembly said, “We appreciate the action, but it’s being said that Naxalites are being eliminated to promoted economic activities in Bastar. Who are going to engage in economic activities? The big industrialists will come for whom they are rolling out the red carpet.”