3 Maoists killed in ongoing ‘decisive’encounter on Chhattisgarh-Telangana border

According to sources, the encounter is still underway and the numbers are likely to climb. The encounter began following a massive anti-Naxal operation that security forces were conducting on Karegutta hills in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district along the southwest inter-state border, where top Maoist leaders and commanders such as Hidma Madvi and Damodar are said to be hiding.

Security forces have surrounded Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) – the armed wing of the Maoists — members of Telangana State Committee (TSC) and Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), sources said. With approximately 180-200 members the armed wing of the Battalion No. 1, is said to be the most dangerous Maoist unit.

“The other side of the hills is Telangana. The Maoists are hiding on the other side of the hill. We are getting assistance from the Telangana Police as well,” said a source.

The operation comprises thousands of security forces from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force (STF), state police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite Commando Battalions for Resolute Action (CoBRA), he said.

Another source said the operation will continue for several days. Describing the encounter as a decisive operation, Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P said: “So far three bodies have been recovered from the forest area. Search operations are going on. All three Maoists are women. We have seized weapons, explosives and Maoist material from the spot.”