Chhattisgarh: Suspected Maoist killed in gunfight with security forces in Dantewada

Dantewada SP said the gunfight took place on Saturday evening, when a team reached Ikeli village under the Geedam police station area

Published on: Aug 11, 2024, 17:39:43 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Raipur: A suspected Maoist was killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada, police said on Sunday.

“One Maoist was killed when a team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters launched a search operation crossing the Indravati river,” said Gaurav Rai, superintendent of police (SP), Dantewada.

The SP said the gunfight took place on Saturday evening, when a team reached Ikeli village under the Geedam police station area.

“We had information that around a dozen armed Maoists were camping in the jungle near the village. Our team reached the spot after crossing the swollen river Indravati, and suddenly the Maoists started firing. The police team retaliated, and when the firing stopped, a body was found,” the SP said.

Rai said that despite heavy rainfall, the DRG and Bastar Fighters jawans showed their bravery and courage by crossing the swollen river Indravati and successfully conducting the search operation.

This operation will play an important role in restoring peace and security in Maoist-affected areas, he added.

A total of 141 Maoists have been killed in gunfights with the security forces and Chhattisgarh police in 2024 till now, of which 137 were killed in the Bastar division comprising seven districts, including Kanker, while two others were gunned down in Dhamtari district under the Raipur division, according to the police.

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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