15 Maoists killed in three encounters in Chhattisgarh, says CRPF

One CRPF jawan was also killed in the operations while two others were injured.

Updated on: May 16, 2017, 21:59:14 IST

Raipur, Hindustan Times | By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

At least 15 Maoist rebels were killed in five days by security forces in Chhattisgarh, the CRPF said on Tuesday but added not a single body has been recovered so far.

CRPF personnel give gun salute to one of the martyrs of April 24 Sukma attack. (PTI File)

One CRPF jawan was also killed in the operations while two others were injured, a spokesperson of the central force said in Delhi.

Some of the slain rebels could have been involved in an ambush that killed 25 CRPF jawans in south Chhattisgarh’s Sukma on April 24, one of the biggest losses faced by the central force engaged in anti-insurgency operations in the state, it said.

The number of Maoist casualties was based on information provided by villagers on the borders of Sukma and Bijapur districts besides the ground troops, the official added.

The operations were carried out between May 12 and 16 by state police and CRPF’s Commando Batallion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a special unit raised to tackle Maoist insurgency, identified as India’s biggest internal security threat.

“As per teams (which took part in the operations) more than a dozen Maoists were killed in (three) encounters and it could be more as we don’t know the exact number,” said DM Awasthi, the state police’s special director general in-charge of anti-Maoist operations told Hindustan Times.

Maoist rebels – who claim to be fighting for the poor and marginalised communities – are known to take away bodies of their fellow-militants from encounter sites.

The CRPF said around 150 Maoists were involved in these encounters and most of them are believed to be from Telangana, which is also battling Left-wing insurgency..

“Since they (the rebels) were using automatic weapons including UBGL (under barrel grenade-launchers) and the distance from Burkapal, where Maoists killed 25 jawans on April 24, is not more than 20km, it can be said that the Maoists consisted most of those who participated in the Burkapal attack,” another CRPF officer said.

In a related development, the CRPF and Chhattisgarh police claimed to have arrested eight Maoists who were allegedly involved in the April 24 ambush. Since the incident, 18 Maoists have been arrested in the case.

“These Maoists were involved in the Burkapal attack and their quizzing will continue,” said Sundararaj P, the deputy inspector general of southern Bastar range.

(With inputs from HT Correspondent in Delhi)

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

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.