Seven Naxalites were killed and three jawans injured in Chhattisgarh after an encounter broke out on Friday. The incident took place during an anti-Naxalite operation by security personnel in the border area of Narayanpur-Dantewada. 125 Naxalites have been killed in separate encounters with security forces in the state since January 2024.
According to officials, the operation was conducted by personnel from the police District Reserve Guard from Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewada and Bastar districts and the 45th battalion of Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The bodies of five Naxalites in uniform as well as some weapons were recovered from the spot after the gunfight.
The clash took place at around 3pm in a forest near Gobel and Thulthuli villages in Orchha area. Officials said that a search operation was underway in the area. The identities of the slain Naxalites were yet to be ascertained.
The developments came even as the Maharashtra police busted a Naxal camp in Bhimankhoji near the Chhattisgarh border — the third operation in as many days. A search of the area also led to the seizure of “6 pitthus, large amount of Naxal belongings, literature, medicines, bags, cooked meal and daily essentials”.
“Based on credible intelligence, Gadchiroli Police had launched another ops comprising of C60 Parties, CRPF 113 A Coy of Gyarapatti under Addnl SP Kumar Chinta yesterday evening for search for armed cadres of Tipagad and Kasansur Dalam in Bhimankhoji area. However due to tough terrain, Maoists escaped in deep forests seeing the C60 commandoes coming upslope the mountain,” said. Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal.
Seven Naxalites were killed during an encounter with security personnel in the forest along the Narayanpur-Bijapur inter-district border on May 23. Days earlier, another 12 were gunned down in Bijapur district.
(With inputs from agencies)
