5 personnel killed in gunbattle with Maoists in Chhattisgarh

According to the Director General of Police (Chhattisgarh), DM Awasthi, the encounter broke out when a joint team of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force’s Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) were out on an anti-Maoist operation in the jungles of Tarrem along Sukma and Bijapur border.

Updated on: Apr 4, 2021, 01:21:34 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Raipur

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Five security personnel were killed died and 12 injured during a gunbattle with Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Saturday, the police said. The body of a suspected Maoist has also been recovered from the encounter spot, an official added.

On March 21 last year, 17 security personnel, including 12 from the DRG, were killed in a Maoist ambush in Sukma district of the region. (Arabinda Mahapatra/HT File Photo)

According to the Director General of Police (Chhattisgarh), DM Awasthi, the encounter broke out when a joint team of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force’s Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) were out on an anti-Maoist operation in the jungles of Tarrem along Sukma and Bijapur border.

“As per the information received so far, five security personnel have been killed and twelve others injured. Among those who lost their lives in the gunfight are a jawan of CoBRA and two from the district reserve guard (DRG) and ‘Bastariya’ battalion of CRPF,” said Awasthi.

“The encounter lasted for about three hours inside the jungle. The injured were airlifted to Raipur and an operation is underway to airlift the injured jawans and bodies,” he added.

The attack comes days after five jawans of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were killed and 14 injured after Maoists targeted a bus ferrying 27 security personnel in Narayanpur district of Bastar region.

On March 21 last year, 17 security personnel, including 12 from the DRG, were killed in a Maoist ambush in Sukma district of the region.

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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