Chhattisgarh: Six women among nine Maoists killed, say police

With Tuesday's encounter, a total of 153 Maoists have been killed this year. Fifteen security personnel and 38 civilians have also been killed since the beginning of the year.

The encounter started at 10.30 am, and after the firing ended, search operations were carried out. (File Photo)

All security personnel who took part in the encounter are safe, and searches are continuing, sources said. (File Photo)

NINE MAOISTS, including six women, were killed in an encounter with security forces at the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, police said.

Officials said a joint team of Dantewada’s District Reserve Guards (DRG), Bastar Fighters and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel undertook an operation on Monday following information on the presence of about 40 cadres of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), which is the armed wing of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

At 10.30 am on Tuesday, an encounter broke out in Loha village, in the forests of Purangel and Andri, about 50 km from Dantewada district headquarters. “The exchange of fire took place seven to eight times. After the firing ended, search operations were carried out and the bodies of nine Naxals in PLGA uniform were found,” said Superintendent of Police for Dantewada district, Gaurav Rai.

Officials said none of the security personnel were injured, and search operations were still on.

“An SLR, .303 rifle, BGL launchers, 315 bore rifle, 12 bore rifle and explosives were recovered from the spot,” said Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P.

“The West Bastar divisional committee along the Dantewada-Bijapur inter-district border areas is a stronghold of the CPI(Maoist). A major setback for Maoists in this area would certainly provide a breakthrough for security forces… It is time for the Naxal cadres to shun violence and join the social mainstream,” he said.

Sources said the area where the encounter took place has seen Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts in the past, in which villagers and security personnel have been killed.

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It is about 15 km from Mandimarka forest, where, on July 17 this year, two Special Task Force (STF) personnel were killed and four injured in an IED blast. The Mandimarka forest falls on the tri-junction of Bijapur, Sukma and Dantewada districts in Bastar region.

With Tuesday’s encounter, a total of 153 Maoists have been killed this year. Fifteen security personnel and 38 civilians have also been killed since the beginning of the year.

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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