Four Maoists Killed in Major Anti-Naxal Operation in Gadchiroli

In a significant anti-Naxal operation, security forces engaged in a confrontation along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in Gadchiroli district, resulting in the deaths of four Maoists, as confirmed by a senior official on Friday. This encounter occurred during a meticulously planned operation executed by the elite C-60 commando unit of the Maharashtra police, in coordination with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The operation commenced on Thursday afternoon based on credible intelligence regarding Naxal activities near the recently established Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Kawande area.

Approximately 300 commandos from a dozen C-60 units launched an assault from the Kawande and Nelgunda regions alongside CRPF personnel. Despite challenging conditions, including heavy rainfall, the forces advanced towards the banks of the Indravati River. Gunfire erupted on Friday morning as security personnel conducted searches and established a perimeter along the riverbanks. Reports indicate that the Maoists opened fire indiscriminately on the forces, prompting a swift and effective counter-response from the C-60 commandos. Following the encounter, security forces recovered the bodies of four Maoists from the scene, along with a range of weapons and equipment, including an automatic self-loading rifle, two .303 rifles, a heavy machine gun, walkie-talkies, camping gear, Maoist propaganda materials, and other items.

This confrontation follows another significant anti-Maoist operation in neighboring Chhattisgarh just two days prior, where security forces eliminated 27 Maoists, including a top leader named Basavaraju. Gadchiroli, located in eastern Maharashtra, has long been a hotspot for Maoist insurgency. The district shares a porous and forested border with Chhattisgarh, making it a strategic location for Maoist operations and a frequent target for anti-terrorism campaigns.