Key central committee man among 10 Naxals gunned down in Chhattisgarh

Based on the information, a joint team of Elite 30, a specialised anti-Naxal force of Gariaband district, the Special Task Force and the Central Reserve Police Force’s elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) set out on the operation.

“The encounter began in the afternoon. The Maoists discriminately opened fire on our forces after which we retaliated. The exchange of firing continued till evening. After the encounter ended, search operations were conducted, and the bodies were found. Their identities are being ascertained. Weapons, including automatic ones, have been recovered,” said Inspector General of Police Amresh Mishra, adding that the jawans are safe but are being cautious as Maoists often attack personnel using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while they are returning from operations.

Asked about the challenges faced by the security forces in the operation, another official said, “The encounter spot is in a dense forest area and highly inaccessible due to the hilly terrain. The operations were undertaken when it was raining heavily last night, and a lot of creepers and rivulets made it more difficult.”

A senior official confirmed that 10 Maoists have been gunned down, including Balkrishna. The CC is the second-highest body of Maoists, right below the Politburo. Balkrishna hailed from undivided Andhra Pradesh and joined the Naxal movement decades ago.