Three Maoists Confirmed to Be Killed DUring Anti-Naxal Operations

On Saturday, Chhattisgarh Police reported that three Maoists were killed in two anti-Naxal operations conducted by security forces in Sukma and Bijapur districts of the Bastar region. Weapons, a cache of explosives, and Maoist-related materials were recovered from both encounter sites, according to the Hindustan Times.

The identities of the three deceased Maoists have not yet been determined, the Chhattisgarh Police noted.

The first incident occurred in Sukma district near Belpochcha village when a joint team of security personnel was on an anti-Naxal mission, said Kiran Chavan, Superintendent of Police, Sukma.

“The operation began on Friday night based on intelligence about a Maoist gathering in the forests of Belpochcha, Jinetong, and Uskawaya villages in response to their bandh call on May 26,” Chavan stated, as reported by Hindustan Times.

“When the patrolling team approached Belpochcha, an exchange of gunfire ensued. After the shooting stopped, a Maoist’s body, a weapon, a cache of explosives, and Maoist-related materials were recovered from the scene,” Chavan added.

It is significant that the Maoists had called for a bandh on May 26 in the Bastar region to protest alleged fake encounters.

The second encounter, according to Chhattisgarh Police, occurred in a forest area of Bijapur district.

In a statement, Bijapur police reported that two Maoists were killed by security forces in the jungles near Jammemarka and Kamkanaar villages during an anti-Naxal operation.

“An anti-Naxal operation was conducted on Saturday based on intelligence about the presence of senior Maoist leaders, including Pandru, the supply-in-charge of the West Bastar Division of CPI (Maoist), and 15 other Maoists camping in the jungle. A district reserve guard (DRG) team reached their camp, resulting in a firefight. When the shooting ceased, the bodies of two Maoists were recovered,” the statement read.