12 Maoists killed in Bijapur gunfight with security forces: Police

A Chhattisgarh police officer said more than 3,000 police personnel were in the jungles for the anti-naxal operation launched from Sukma on Wednesday night

Updated on: Jan 16, 2025, 20:12:59 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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RAIPUR: About 12 Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Bijapur on Thursday, senior police officers said, adding that combing operations were still continuing.

The Chhattisgarh police said the combing operation was still continuing in the area (ANI FILE PHOTO)

“Based on intelligence regarding the presence of Maoists in the forests of the South Bastar area under district Bijapur, a joint team comprising district reserve guard (DRG) Bijapur, DRG Sukma, DRG Dantewada, CoBRA Battalion number -- 204, 205, 206, 208, 210, and CRPF 229 Battalion launched and an anti-Maoist operation was launched,” a statement by the Bijapur district police said.

The officer cited above said more than 3,000 police personnel were in the jungles for the anti-naxal operation launched from Sukma on Wednesday night. During the operation, intermittent gunfights have been taking place between security forces and Maoists.

“The jawans are still in the jungle and a combing operation is still going on. We will disclose more details about the encounter on Friday morning,” the officer, who was overviewing the operation, said.

Police said a cache of weapons and explosives were seized from the site.

The Bijapur gunfight is among a string of anti-Maoist operations that have been conducted in Chhattisgarh over the past several months.

According to the police, five suspected Maoists, including two women were killed during a three-day operation in the Abujhmad region on the border of Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Bijapur districts on January 6. On January 3, another Maoist was killed in Gariaband district.

In all, 26 suspected Maoists have been killed in various operations across the state this year including Thursday’s operation.

According to Chhattisgarh police, 219 Maoists were killed in 2024.

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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