Two Maoists killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur: Police

According to police, intermittent firing has been continuing since Saturday morning between the joint force and the Maoists during the search operation

Published on: Jan 17, 2026, 13:51:14 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Wednesday, a senior police official said.

Two male Maoist bodies have been recovered so far from the encounter site, along with automatic weapons. (Representative file photo)

Bijapur superintendent of police (SP) Jitendra Yadav said a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and the Special Task Force (STF) launched a search operation after receiving inputs about the presence of Maoists, including National Park Area Committee DVCM Dilip Bedja, in the area.

According to police, intermittent firing has been continuing since Saturday morning between the joint force and the Maoists during the search operation.

Two male Maoist bodies have been recovered so far from the encounter site, along with automatic weapons, including an AK-47, officials said.

Also Read: 26 Maoists, 13 with ₹65 lakh bounty, surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma

Inspector general of police (IGP), Bastar Range, Sunderraj Pattilingam said the DRG, CoBRA and STF personnel are continuing the operation against armed Maoist cadres.

Preliminary identification suggests that one of the slain Maoists could be DVCM Dilip Bedja of the National Park Area Committee, while the identity of the second Maoist is yet to be established, police said.

Officials added that a detailed report will be shared separately after the operation is completed.

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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