By The Sampadak Express
In a major encounter between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, 12 Maoist militants and two security personnel lost their lives, as confirmed by the police on Sunday morning. The clash occurred in the dense forests of Bijapur, part of a larger ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the region. Additionally, two security personnel sustained injuries during the fierce gunfight.
The recent clash follows a similar operation on January 31, in which eight Maoists were killed in Bijapur. The gunfight, which had taken place a week prior, was part of a concerted effort by security forces to dismantle Maoist strongholds in the region.
Details of the Operation
The operation, which led to the encounter on Friday, was a joint effort by multiple security agencies. Personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) of the state police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) participated in the action, with the elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit playing a critical role. The operation was launched after receiving intelligence that Maoist cadres from the ‘West Bastar Division’ were present in the area, according to police sources.
The gunfight erupted when security forces, actively engaged in an anti-Maoist operation, encountered the heavily armed Maoist group in the dense forested region. Despite the challenging terrain, security forces engaged the Maoists in intense firefights, which led to the killing of 12 militants.
Previous Attacks and Rising Tensions
This encounter comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as the Maoist insurgency continues to be a significant challenge for both local and national authorities. On January 6, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the central government’s commitment to “end Naxalism” by 2026. The recent operation in Bijapur aligns with the government’s vow to eliminate Maoist insurgents in the region.
The operation was launched in response to several attacks on security personnel by Maoists, including a deadly ambush in the district on April 26, 2023. In that attack, Maoists targeted a convoy carrying security forces, killing ten police personnel and a civilian driver after blowing up their vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED). The attack was one of the most significant in recent years, further escalating tensions in the region.
Government Response
Following the IED attack on January 6, in which eight DRG jawans and one civilian driver were killed in Bijapur, Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life. The IED blast took place on the Bedre-Kutru Road in Bijapur, targeting a vehicle carrying personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the state police. The security personnel had been returning from a joint operation in the region, involving units from Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Bijapur.
In his statement, Home Minister Amit Shah assured that the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers would not be in vain. The attack, which marked a sharp escalation in Maoist activities in the state, underscored the gravity of the challenge faced by security forces in tackling the Maoist insurgency.
Operation Strategy and Future Outlook
The central government and state authorities have ramped up security operations in the Naxal-affected districts of Chhattisgarh, including Bijapur, as part of the larger effort to curb Maoist activities in the region. The latest encounter is seen as part of a sustained strategy to dismantle the Maoist network in Bastar and adjoining areas, which have long been hotspots for insurgent activity.
In the wake of the casualties, there have been calls for enhanced coordination among security agencies and better intelligence gathering to prevent further losses. While the government remains committed to its anti-Naxal mission, security forces continue to face challenges in dealing with the highly organized and elusive Maoist groups that operate in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh.
The ongoing operations, although successful in neutralizing Maoist militants, underscore the volatile and dangerous situation that persists in the region, where both security forces and insurgents continue to clash.
