In a huge success for the forces in recent times, as many as 36 Maoists were killed by security forces in a forest along the Narayanpur-Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh on Friday, according to an NDTV report, citing sources.
The anti-Maoist operation was kicked off by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday and the contact happened at 12.30 pm today, added the reports, citing sources, who said the encounter is still on.
Several assault rifles including AK series and other weapons have been recovered, the sources added.
Following intelligence reports of a substantial Maoist presence, separate teams were dispatched on Thursday to villages in Govel, Nendur, and Thulthuli, under the Orcha and Barsur police stations, to conduct combing operations.
The encounter began around noon in the forests near Nendur-Thulthuli, with security forces carefully pursuing a few remaining Maoists who retreated deeper into the area.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the security forces for their operation and said the ‘double engine’ government (BJP government in the state and at the Centre) is determined to eliminate the menace.
With this latest encounter, 185 Maoists have been gunned down by the security forces in separate gun battles in the Bastar region comprising seven districts, including Dantewada and Narayanpur, so far this year, police said.
On April 16, as many as 29 Naxalites, including some higher-ranking cadres, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Kanker district.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Chhattisgarh in August had said India will be free from Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 2026, and a strong and ruthless strategy was required to launch the final assault against the menace.
With inputs from agencies
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36 Maoists killed in encounter along Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh,185 eliminated so far in 2024
