RAIPUR: Security forces on Thursday shot dead seven armed Maoists in their core stronghold area along the forested terrain of inter-district border of Narayanpur-Bijapur in south Chhattisgarh.
The series of encounters against the Left-wing extremists is part of the strategy to free the conflict-ridden Bastar zone from the influence of the banned CPI (Maoist).
The bodies of seven Maoists in uniform were recovered from the encounter site, officials said. Besides, five weapons and items of daily use were also seized.
In all, 115 Maoists have been eliminated by the security forces since December, when aggressive operations were launched across Bastar. “Security personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guards from three districts — Narayanpur, Dantewada and Jagdalpur — along with Bastar Fighters and the Special Task Force launched an operation based on intelligence inputs. The Maoists opened fire and the forces swiftly retaliated from different directions after taking positions atop the hilly terrain.
Intermittent firing still continues. Full details will be available after the forces return to their respective camps,” the police in Bastar said.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that several Maoists sustained injuries in the gunfight. This is the second major success achieved by the forces in Bijapur this month. On May 10, the forces killed 12 Maoists at Pedia village of Gangapur area in Bijapur.
Security forces had specific inputs about the presence of Maoists from Platoon number 16 and Indravati Area Committee in the encounter area, which is normally considered a safe haven for the Maoists. The operation was meticulously planned to corner the rebels from different directions so as to block their exit.
Union home minister Amit Shah had recently said the Maoist problem would be eliminated within the next two to three years.
Strategic shift in tactics
Every summer between March and June, Maoists normally launch most of their attacks against the forces. For the first time, security forces have turned the tables and are attacking the Maoists in summer to take the psychological advantage over the rebels