‘Some Maoists fleeing, some planning to fight’: Massive security operation in Bijapur enters 7th day

Security personnel have also found a large natural cave that they suspect was used as a hideout by Maoists. They also found a large hole that was dug up and covered with bamboo, plastic sheets, soil and grass, where the Maoists hid a big amount of materials, sources said.

“The recoveries from these sites are being documented and seized. At the end of the search operation, the details will be disclosed,” an official said.

During the operation on Sunday, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan suffered a minor injury when an improvised explosive device (IED), believed to be planted by Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), exploded.

The PLGA is the armed wing of the Maoists, and the PLGA Battalion 1 is believed to be its most dangerous unit. In the operation, security forces are tactfully scaling the Karregutta hills, where key members of the Maoist leadership are believed to be holed up, being safeguarded by the PLGA Battalion 1.

Three Maoists have been gunned down and three jawans have been injured so far in the week-long operation, though security personnel say the number of Maoists killed could be higher.

“Today, one jawan from Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) , an elite force of the CRPF, sustained a minor injury due to an IED blast impact. But he is quite okay and recovering well,” an officer said. Earlier, a Special Task Force (STF) jawan and a District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan had suffered injuries during the operation.

The operations began on April 21, with around 7,000 security personnel from central and state forces surrounding the Karregutta hills.

Officials said the Maoists have been squeezed onto the hills due to the incessant security operations that began last year, with forces making several police camps and clearing the security vacuum in the Bastar region.