Three Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: Three Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place along the border between Dantewada and Bijapur districts. The army said security has been increased in the area in view of the presence of Maoists.

The encounter took place in the forest during a search operation after receiving information about the arrival of Maoists in the area, said Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai. Weapons and other items were seized from the area. He also said that the dead could not be identified.

Following the central directive, the hunt for Maoists has been intensified in Chhattisgarh. More than two dozen Maoists were killed in the encounter in Bijapur and Kanker last Thursday. A police officer was also killed in the encounter. Last year alone, 219 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh. In 2023, 22 people were killed by the security forces and 30 in 2022. According to the Union Home Ministry, 113 people were killed in anti-Maoist operations across the country this year. 104 people were arrested and 164 surrendered. Most of the Maoist activities are taking place in the Bastar, Dantewada, Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, Kondagon and Sukhma areas of Chhattisgarh. More than a thousand soldiers have been deployed here as part of the anti-Maoist operation Red Corridor.