Encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmarh: Eight Maoists and one security personnel dead

Eight Maoists and one security personnel were killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmarh forest. The joint operation involved DRG, STF, and ITBP personnel. Two jawans were injured. The offensive is a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency in the region.

Presence of security forces and Maoists in the forests of Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, has led to the death of eight Maoists and one security personnel, two jawans were also injured during the operation. The operation that started in the morning of June 15th is the second major operation against the Maoists in the region for this month.

It was begun on June 12 by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Narayanpur, Kanker, Dantewada, and Kondagaon, the Special Task Force (STF), and the 53rd battalion of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The place which is mentioned to be under the control of Maoist is Abujhmarh which is hilly and forest region in the Districts of Narayanpur, Bijapur and Dantewada due to its remote location.

More information is still to be unveiled on the Maoists who died and security forces personnel who also died in the operation. The jawans who were injured in the encounter have been evacuated through helicopters and they are being treated.

This operation has been carried out only days after another successful operation on 6 June in which security forces eliminated six Maoists who had a total bounty of ₹ 38 lakh at the bordering areas of Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewada and Bastar districts. Livedoti were Maoists from the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) company number six and the east Bastar division formations.

The same statement also featured the Superintendent of Police of Bastar Range Sundarraj P who affirmed that the security forces were ready to deal with the Maoists in the area. ’Our operations will proceed as planned we shall make sure that normalcy which is peace and security is restored to the people of Bastar,’ he said.

Also Read: Major Naxalite Operation Claims 7 Rebels' Lives, as Bastar District of Chhattisgarh Stays on High Alert

The latest operation is being considered to be a big set back to the Maoists in the state which has been in a fight against left wing militancy for quite some time now. Over the past few months, the state government and security forces have stepped up activity against the Naxals and to eliminate the insurgency to ensure that the areas under their influence are returned back into the mainstream society.