Watch: Security forces take on Maoists during Operation Prahar in Chhattisgarh

Police believe Maoist commander Madvi Hidma was hit by a bullet during an encounter during Operation Prahar.

Updated on: Jun 29, 2017, 13:33:20 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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A video footage of an encounter between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s south Sukma last week surfaced on Thursday. The encounter took place during anti-Maoist drive named Operation Prahar.

A jawan is being taken to a hospital after Maoist attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh on Saturday, June 24, 2017. (PTI)

Security forces and Maoists exchanged fire at separate locations during the drive between June 23 and June 24, said police. Three district reserve guards were killed in action, but police claimed they inflicted massive losses on Maoists.

“Security forces managed to kill at least 20 Maoists,” said DM Awasthi, Chhattisgarh’s special director general of police (Naxal operations).

Police believe Maoist commander Madvi Hidma was hit by a bullet during an encounter during Operation Prahar.

Hidma is accused of planning and executing a string of attacks on security forces in the past decade that have caused at least 200 casualties – including an ambush in April that killed 25 paramilitary personnel.

Chief minister Raman Singh praised the security forces and said more drives on the lines of Operation Prahar would be carried out in Maoist-affected zones of the state.

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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