Six Maoists Eliminated in Major Chhattisgarh Security Operation: Weapons and Explosives Recovered

The exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists has been continuing since morning. (File)

Security forces eliminated six Maoists during an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Tuesday. Authorities recovered a significant arsenal including an INSAS rifle, a Sten gun, a .303 rifle, explosives, and Maoist literature from the encounter site.

The gunfight erupted around 10 am in the National Park area when joint teams comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Bijapur and Dantewada, along with the Special Task Force (STF), launched a search operation. This operation was based on intelligence inputs regarding Maoist presence in the dense forest region.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Bijapur, Dr Jitendra Yadav, confirmed that the exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists continued intermittently throughout the morning.

"Our joint teams of DRG Bijapur, DRG Dantewada, and STF were conducting a search operation when the encounter initiated around 10 am on November 11. We have recovered six Maoist bodies along with automatic weapons, explosives, and Maoist literature from the location," stated SP Yadav.

Officials have deployed additional reinforcements to prevent the escape of other Maoist cadres potentially hiding in the surrounding forests.

Inspector General (IG) of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, described the operation as a significant achievement. "Eliminating six hardcore Maoist cadres in today's encounter represents a decisive victory for our security forces. This success is particularly important as the Maoist organization currently finds itself leaderless, directionless, and suffering from low morale, now confined to just a few remaining hideouts," IG Sundarraj explained.

He further mentioned that teams from the DRG, STF, Bastar Fighters, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) have been strategically positioned in adjacent areas to track and corner remaining Maoist operatives. "As the operation remains active, we cannot disclose the exact location, force strength, or other sensitive details to ensure our personnel's safety in the field," added IG Sundarraj.

This encounter is part of intensified anti-Maoist operations across the Bastar region in recent months, where security forces have targeted remaining insurgent strongholds in Chhattisgarh's Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, and Narayanpur districts.

Authorities believe this operation could significantly diminish Maoist influence in the area, which has long served as an insurgent corridor between south Bastar and the Andhra Pradesh border.

The identification process for the deceased Maoists is underway, with thorough search operations continuing in and around the encounter site.