31 Maoists killed, two security personnel martyred; major operation in Bijapur

RAIPUR: In a significant operation in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, security forces killed 31 Maoists during an encounter. The clash also resulted in the loss of two security personnel, with two others sustaining injuries. The injured soldiers have been hospitalised and are reported to be in stable condition. The confrontation occurred in the inner forest area of the Indravati National Park on Sunday morning.

The operation was initiated based on intelligence regarding Maoist presence, prompting a search operation by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the anti-Maoist unit of the Chhattisgarh Police, and the Special Task Force. Among the fallen security personnel, one belonged to the District Reserve Guard of the state police, and the other was a member of the Special Task Force. Authorities recovered arms, weapons, grenades, and explosives from the deceased Maoists. Search operations are still underway in the area.

Bastar Inspector General of Police, P. Sundarraj, verified the death toll of 31 Maoists. The Indravati National Park vicinity, known to be a Maoist stronghold, spans 2,799 square kilometres, bordering Maharashtra. It was designated as a tiger reserve in 1983.

Prior to this, security forces eliminated eight Maoists in Bijapur a week earlier. On January 12, an encounter resulted in the deaths of five Maoists, including two women.