Elite Anti-Maoist Officer Inspector Ashish Sharma Killed During Operation at Tri-State Border

Inspector Ashish Sharma served with the Hawk Force in Balaghat district

Bhopal:

Madhya Pradesh's elite anti-Maoist unit, Hawk Force, suffered a significant loss when Inspector Ashish Sharma, one of their most distinguished and brave officers, died during an intense early morning confrontation with armed Maoists on Wednesday. The encounter took place in the dense forest region near the intersection of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra borders.

Inspector Sharma, approximately 40 years old, had been honored twice with gallantry medals and was renowned throughout the force for his courageous operations. He sustained serious bullet wounds to his thigh and abdomen while commanding a joint team comprising police forces from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. The operation was based on specific intelligence regarding a substantial, heavily armed Maoist group operating in remote areas within Chhattisgarh territory.

At around 8:30 am, as the team proceeded through the thick jungle vegetation, they were suddenly met with gunfire. Inspector Sharma, characteristically positioned at the operation's forefront, was struck multiple times while ensuring his team maintained their position.

With critical injuries, he was transported urgently to the Dongargarh Community Health Centre in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district. Medical staff fought to save his life, but the blood loss was too extensive.

"We had arranged for an air ambulance to transport him to a specialized medical facility. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries before the airlift could take place," stated Special DG (Anti-Maoist Operations) Pankaj Shrivastava. He also confirmed casualties among the Maoist fighters, though exact numbers would be determined only after the operation's conclusion.

Inspector Sharma was assigned to the Hawk Force in Balaghat district and was considered among its most intrepid officers. Earlier this year, he received an accelerated promotion after leading an operation that eliminated three experienced female Maoist operatives in the Raunda forests in February 2025, an achievement that earned him significant recognition within the force.

His colleagues remember him as a dedicated officer who remained composed under pressure and consistently led by example.