Chhattisgarh: 2 more Maoists killed in Bijapur as search operations continue

Two more Maoists were gunned down on Sunday in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a day after four others were killed in the same encounter with security forces, police said

Published on: Jan 18, 2026, 19:00:48 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Raipur: Two more Maoists were gunned down on Sunday in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a day after four others were killed in the same encounter with security forces, police said. Search operations are continuing in the region.

The latest exchange of fire occurred on Sunday morning in the forested hills of the district’s north-western region. (Representative photo)

The latest exchange of fire occurred on Sunday morning in the forested hills of the district’s north-western region, where a joint team of security forces has been conducting an anti-Maoist operation, Superintendent of Police (SP) Jitendra Yadav said.

Four Maoists, including senior cadre Dilip Bedja, were killed during the operation on Saturday. The deceased were identified as divisional committee member Bedja, area committee members Madvi Kosa and Lakkhi Madkam, and party member Radha Metta. “All were active members of the Maoists’ National Park Area Committee,” the SP said.

The identity of the two Maoists killed on Sunday is yet to be established, he added.

Personnel from the Special Task Force (STF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh Police, along with the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)—an elite unit of the Central Reserve Police Force—were involved in the operation. The operation was launched on Saturday following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of Vedja and other armed Maoist cadres in the area.

Police said six weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, an INSAS rifle, a carbine, and a .303 rifle, were recovered from the encounter sites.

With the latest action, at least 20 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. On January 3, 14 Maoists were killed in two encounters in the Bastar region, which includes Bijapur.

Last year, a total of 285 Maoists were killed in encounters with security forces in the state. The Centre has set March 31 as the deadline to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism.

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

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