RAIPUR: Three cadres of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Maoist-affected district of Bijapur, located approximately 400 km south of Raipur, on Friday.
"Based on specific intelligence about the presence of Maoists along the Usoor-Basaguda-Pamed area in Bijapur, a joint team consisting of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (elite unit of CRPF), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a planned search operation in the region," said a police officer in Bastar.
The officer further explained, "Upon reaching the location near the Rekhapalli-Komathpalli hilly forested terrain, where the Maoists were believed to be hiding, an encounter ensued between the forces and the Naxalites. Following the firefight, the troops recovered the bodies of three Maoist cadres, who were found in uniform."
The forces also recovered significant weaponry from the encounter site, including one self-loading rifle (SLR), one sniper rifle, one 12-bore rifle, and other arms and ammunition.
The identities of the three deceased Maoists have yet to be confirmed, as the forces are still returning from the ongoing anti-Maoist operation.
There have been no reports of injuries among the security personnel during the gun battle.
As of this year, a total of 192 Maoists have been neutralised, with their bodies recovered after separate encounters with security forces in the conflict-prone south Bastar zone.
The Chhattisgarh security forces are intensifying anti-Maoist operations under the new regime, with a renewed strategy aimed at targeting rebels in areas traditionally considered their strongholds.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reaffirmed the state's commitment to combating the Maoists, stating, "The battle against the Maoists will continue until they are completely wiped out."
Bijapur is one of seven districts in the Bastar region, a key area affected by Maoist insurgency in south Chhattisgarh.