Six Naxalites Killed in Fierce Gunbattle with Security Forces in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur.
Narayanpur:
In a significant blow to Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh, six Naxalites were killed on Friday during a fierce encounter with security forces in the dense forests of the Abujhmad region in Narayanpur district, police confirmed.
According to senior police officials, the exchange of fire took place during a joint anti-Naxal operation launched by multiple security units acting on intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoist cadres in the area. The operation, aimed at flushing out insurgents hiding in the remote forest belt, resulted in multiple rounds of gunfire between the forces and the armed ultras starting in the afternoon.
“So far, the bodies of six Maoists have been recovered from the encounter site,” a senior police officer. He added that security forces also seized a cache of weapons, including AK-47 and SLR rifles, as well as explosive materials and essential supplies used by the Naxalites.
The operation is part of a broader, intensified effort by central and state security forces to neutralize Maoist influence in the Bastar division, a long-time stronghold of Left-Wing Extremism. Abujhmad, due to its dense forests and difficult terrain, has traditionally served as a safe haven for Maoist leadership and armed squads.
Security forces, including personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite COBRA battalion, are said to be part of the ongoing combing operations in the region. The search for other insurgents possibly injured or hiding nearby is still underway.
The police have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased Maoists. “We are in the process of identifying the slain cadres. The operation is ongoing and further details will be shared after a thorough search of the area,” the official added.
This encounter comes amid a renewed push by both central and state governments to dismantle Maoist networks in Chhattisgarh, which has seen several high-profile operations and surrenders in recent months.
Authorities have intensified intelligence-based operations in vulnerable districts, with increased coordination between various security wings. The recovery of sophisticated weapons and explosives in today’s encounter suggests the group was well-armed and possibly planning a major strike.
The situation remains tense in the region, and reinforcements have been dispatched to prevent any retaliatory action from Maoist groups.
Further updates are awaited as the operation continues.
