3 Maoists, including 2 women, killed in encounter in Bastar: Chhattisgarh Police

Police said that they have recovered explosives and weapons from the encounter site and combing operation is still going on

Published on: Jan 20, 2024, 18:29:49 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

RAIPUR: Three Maoists, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Saturday.

Police said that they have recovered explosives and weapons from the encounter site and combing operation is still going on.

The bodies of the Maoists, brought to the district headquarters, are yet to be identified.

Inspector general of police, Bastar range, Sunderaj P, said that an encounter took place near Belam Gatta village under Basaguda police station of the district.

On Saturday morning, a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation when Maoists opened fire.

“The personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)’s Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and the district police launched the operation from Basagunda and when the team reached Belam Gatta, the exchange of fire took place. After the firing stopped, the bodies of three Maoists, including two women, were found from the spot,” said the IG.

“Two muzzle-rifles, one pistol and other explosives have been recovered,” the IG added.

“We had information that the Madded Area Committee‘s divisional member Vinod Karma and other 25 armed Maoists were camping in that area and hence the operation was launched. The bodies of the deceased Maoists are yet to be identified,” said the IG.

Notably, as per the data accessed by HT, the anti-Maoist operations have intensified in the last two months. The figures show that there were only four anti-Maoist operations in July and August of last year, which dropped to two in September and October. However, the number increased to 12 in November and nine operations were conducted in December 2023. In all, 27 operations were conducted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

Home/Cities/Others/3 Maoists, Including 2 Women, Killed In Encounter In Bastar: Chhattisgarh Police