Chhattisgarh: 15 Maoists gunned down in Bijapur encounter, search operation underway

Intelligence reports suggest that several senior cadres have been either killed or critically injured during the operation.

Published on: May 7, 2025, 10:21:33 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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At least 15 Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh as part of a large-scale operation against ultras in the region, the police said on Wednesday.

Security personnel during an anti-Maoist operation. (PTI Photo)

Police said that the number could increase, and a search operation is underway.

“The encounter took place in the wee hours of Wednesday. According to preliminary information, 15 to 18 Maoists have been killed in the dense forests surrounding the Karregutta hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. A search operation is on, and more details will be provided in the next few hours,” a senior police officer, who is reviewing the operation, said.

The massive operation, described as one of the largest counter-insurgency missions in Bastar, involves around 24,000 personnel from various units, including Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force (STF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite CoBRA unit.

Authorities launched the offensive following intelligence inputs about the presence of top Maoist leaders, including those from the Telangana state committee and the heavily armed ‘Battalion number 1’ — regarded as the strongest militia of the Maoists.

According to police, the Karregutta hill range serves as a stronghold for the battalion. Intelligence reports suggest that several senior cadres have been either killed or critically injured during the operation.

On Monday, one woman Maoist was gunned down but her identity is still unknown.

On April 24, three women Naxals were gunned down in the same region, and a significant cache of weapons, explosives, and other materials was seized.

So far, hundreds of Maoist hideouts and bunkers have been destroyed, and large quantities of explosives, detonators, food supplies, and daily-use items have been recovered.

Six security personnel from STF, DRG, and CoBRA units sustained injuries in separate pressure IED blast incidents but are reported to be out of danger.

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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