Intelligence input, trek in dead of night – how security personnel conducted Bastar encounter that killed 29 Maoists

A few kilometres from the site of the encounter, villagers are reluctant to speak of the incident. Brick structures meant to be Naxal memorials mark the area, and a large gate is meant to signify one is entering Maoist territory.

While most villagers here are tight lipped, Lingaram, a resident of Akameta, claims one of the men killed in the encounter is his cousin. He claims his family tried to reason with him to quit the banned outfit, but in vain.

Security personnel carry bodies of Maoists killed in Tuesday’s encounter in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. (PTI)

According to security sources, the biggest challenge leading up to the encounter was walking in the dark over five or six hills of different heights, ranging between 200 metres to 550 metres. To ensure they stayed under the radar, the personnel took a circuitous route, which meant their journey became longer.

According to officials, on the evening of April 15, the DRG (District Reserve Guards) and BSF (Border Security Force) 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.

Ramji Gawre, a Maoist killed in the ecnounter.

A source who was part of the operation said, “When we eventually reached Kalpar hill, Maoists were just two kilometres away. We then cordoned off the hill and made a circle. The Maoists had no escape route, they knew they were trapped. They opened fire at us, and we retaliated. Three of our men suffered injuries, but we managed to avoid casualties because of meticulous planning. We were well-versed with the area, which helped.”

The encounter spot – a tri-junction of Kanker and Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh, and Gadchiroli adjoining Maharashtra – has long been considered as safe haven for the north Bastar division committee of Maoists, which has in the past targeted both security forces and civilians.

Jugni, a Maoist killed in the encounter

The encounter has almost wiped off the Partapur area committee of the banned Communist Party of India (CPI) Maoist, sources said. Apart from Partapur, the north Bastar division committee comprises Raoghat, Kuve and Kisodo area committees.

The divisional committee’s work is to collect money through extortion of local contractors and businessmen, which helps Naxals run their activities.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, said this is the biggest encounter in the last three decades.

Bastar IG Sundarraj P and others check the weapons seized after the encounter in Kanker, on Wednesday. (PTI)

Of the 29 bodies recovered during search operations, 15 are of women. Many are suspected to be cadres who live in the village and act as eyes and ears of senior Maoists. Seventy-nine Maoists have been killed in encounters so far this year – the highest since 2019.

Shankar Rao, a Maoist killed in the encounter.

Among the dead are Shankar Rao and Lalita, who were divisional committee members of CPI (Maoist). Both carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh on their arrest, and the operation was undertaken based on specific intelligence inputs of their presence at the site.

The encounter comes days ahead of Lok Sabha elections – while Bastar votes on April 19, Kanker goes to polls on April 26. Like every election season, Maoists in Abujhmad have asked villagers to boycott the electoral process, putting up posters and banners to spread the message.