29 Maoists killed in Bastar encounter, three days ahead of Lok Sabha polls

A BSF spokesperson said, “Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation by teams of BSF and DRG was launched on April 16… While the operation was under progress, the BSF operations party came under fire from CPI (Maoist) cadres, and BSF troops effectively retaliated against them.”

Polling staff with EVMs leave for election duty in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh Tuesday. (PTI)

IG Sundarraj said, “The area was searched and bodies of 29 Naxals along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the spot. Three jawans who were injured in the encounter are out of danger and are being airlifted.”

The injured personnel include two from the BSF and one from the DRG.

According to sources, Shankar and Lalita, divisional committee members of the CPI (Maoist)’s North Bastar Division, are believed to be among those killed.

The encounter took place under the jurisdiction of Chhotebethiya police station.

The weapons recovered include three SLR rifles, an AK rifle, two pistols, two INSAS rifles and two 303 rifles.

Officials said that on the evening of April 15, the DRG and BSF had started a search operation based on inputs of Maoist movement in Binagunda and adjoining areas. “We shared five inputs, including two inputs giving the exact location of the North Bastar divisional committee Maoists in Binagunda area, underlining the fact that it has been acting as a permanent camp of the Maoists since April 5,” a source in the BSF said.

Hailing the successful operation by security personnel, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Today, a large number of Naxals have been killed in an operation by security forces in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery, and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured.”

Bastar IG Sundarraj P

“Naxalism is the biggest enemy of development, peace and the bright future of the youth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, we are determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism. Due to the offensive policy of the government and the efforts of the security forces, Naxalism has been confined to a small area today. Soon, Chhattisgarh and the entire country will be completely Naxal-free,” he said.

Two days ago, Shah, on a visit to Khairagarh where he sought a third term for Modi from the electorate, promised to end Naxalism in the next three years.

Maoists killed in state since 2019

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who is also the state Home Minister, told the media, “I congratulate the security forces for their bravery. To the Naxals, I have always said we are ready for dialogue and discussion. We are ready to speak to one person or a group of persons from the Naxalites. Today, many in Bastar do not have even basic water supply. There is nothing political about it. We will do everything to bring development to Bastar.”

Last week, IG Sundarraj told The Indian Express that more than 60,000 security personnel have been deployed in the district to oversee the electoral process.

The toll Tuesday takes the number of Maoist killed so far this year to 79. At least 18 civilians and six security personnel have lost their lives in Maoist violence this year.

With this operation, security forces have entered the Moist stronghold of Abujhmad, spread across the districts of Narayanpur, Bijapur and Dantewada.

Additional Director General (Naxal operations), Vivekanand Sinha told The Indian Express, “We have almost wiped out the Partapur area committee which was involved in many violent activities like killing security personnel in IED blasts, murdering civilians and arson where they burnt vehicles involved in road construction. They were also involved in the IED blast incident during the Assembly elections in November when a BSF jawan was martyred and two officials on election duty were injured.”