Major Blow to Maoists in Chhattisgarh: 22 Militants Killed in Encounters

Chhattisgarh, March 20: Maoists suffered a major setback as security forces neutralized 22 militants in a fierce encounters along the Bijapur ansd Kanker  districts in Chhattisgarh. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of security personnel launched an anti-Maoist operations near the Gangloor police station limits.

The encounter broke out early Thursday around 7 AM when Maoists confronted the advancing security forces, triggering a prolonged gunfight. In the intense exchange of fire, 18 Maoists were killed on the spot, and a large cache of automatic weapons and explosives was recovered from the site.

Security forces also retrieved 18 bodies of the slain Maoists during the combing operation. However, the forces also lost a brave soldier from the Bijapur District Reserve Guard (DRG) in the battle. The operation is still ongoing, with search operations continuing in the surrounding areas.  Four  other Naxalites were killed in another encounter in kanker districrt.

This encounter comes as a major blow to the Maoists, who have been reeling from a series of losses in recent months. The security offensive, part of “Operation Kagar,” has been ramped up to dismantle Maoist strongholds, particularly in the Bastar region, a known Maoist hub.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, over 300 Maoists have been eliminated since the launch of Operation Kagar in January last year. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had vowed to eradicate the Maoist insurgency nationwide by March 31 next year.

With increased pressure on the Maoist network in Chhattisgarh, heightened vigilance has been enforced along the Telangana border to prevent any infiltration attempts by the rebels. Security forces are on high alert, conducting combing operations to ensure Maoists do not regroup across state lines.