A villager was killed and another sustained bullet injuries in crossfire between security personnel and Maoists in Bijapur district on Friday.
When the team reached the forest near Otkalpada village, the encounter with Maoists began. (Image used for representation). (HT FILE PHOTO.)
The injured villager was admitted to a district hospital and his condition is believed to be stable.
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According to the police, the incident took place on Friday morning when the security forces were out for an anti-Maoist operation.
Officials said that a joint team of CRPF and the state police launched an operation on Thursday night following a tip-off regarding Maoists’ movement. When the team reached the forest near Otkalpada village, the encounter with Maoists began.
“The Maoists managed to escape during the encounter and when the firing stopped two villagers were found injured in the jungle. The two villagers- Dubbak Anna and Yalam Dharmaiyya sustained bullet injuries during the cross fire and were rushed to hospital,” Inspector General of Police (IG) Bastar Sunderraj P said.
The IG further added that Anna died in the hospital while Dharmaiyya’s condition is stable.
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“The whole area has been cordoned off and a search is on,” the IG said.
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“The whole area has been cordoned off and a search is on,” the IG said.
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.
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