In a major success for security forces, at least 17 Naxalites were killed in a fierce encounter in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Thursday. This brings the total number of Naxalites killed in separate encounters across the state to 26 in January alone.
The gunfight broke out around 9 AM in a dense forest area in southern Bijapur during an anti-Naxal operation. The exchange of fire continued intermittently until late evening, with security forces making significant gains. The operation involved personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from three districts, five battalions of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) – an elite CRPF unit specializing in jungle warfare – and the 229th battalion of the CRPF.
Preliminary reports indicated that 12 Naxalites had been killed during the encounter. However, further details are awaited as a search operation remains underway in the area. No casualties have been reported among the security forces.
This incident is the latest in a series of encounters targeting Naxalite groups in Chhattisgarh. Earlier this month, on January 12, three suspected Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in the National Park area of Bijapur. The operation was based on intelligence regarding Maoist activity in the region’s dense forests.
On January 9, another encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district resulted in the death of three Naxalites. The joint anti-Naxal operation along the Sukma-Bijapur border was successful, with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma praising the efforts of the security forces.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a visit earlier this month, reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism by 2026, emphasizing that the sacrifices made by security personnel and civilians would not be in vain.
