Intense Clash Between Security Forces and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh
Gun Battle in Bijapur District
Raipur/Bijapur, Dec 19: A significant gunfight took place on Friday in the dense forests of the Bhairamgarh-Indravati area within Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, a region known for its Maoist presence.
The confrontation began during an anti-Naxal operation initiated by a District Reserve Guard (DRG) team from Bijapur, following specific intelligence regarding armed Maoist groups in the vicinity.
Reports of sporadic gunfire have been coming in since early morning, with police confirming that the encounter is still ongoing.
"The DRG unit is deep within the forest, and the operation is ongoing. We have secured the area, but detailed updates, including any potential casualties, will be available only after the search and combing operations are completed," police officials stated, highlighting the need for caution due to the challenging terrain.
Bijapur is a focal point for anti-Naxal efforts, having recorded the highest number of Maoist neutralizations in recent years.
Just a few weeks prior, security forces successfully neutralized several Maoists in various encounters throughout the Bastar division, contributing to a total of over 280 Maoists killed across the state in 2025. Authorities believe that these intensified operations are diminishing Maoist influence, aligning with the government's objective to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism by March 2026.
Additional reinforcements have been dispatched to the scene, and the area has been secured.
The situation is under close observation, with no reports of civilian casualties thus far.
Official statistics indicate that in Bijapur district alone, 144 Maoists were neutralized in 2025, alongside more than 500 arrests and 560 surrenders.
These intensified operations, bolstered by coordinated efforts among state police, DRG, CRPF CoBRA units, and Central forces, have significantly weakened Maoist networks, reduced the number of affected districts nationwide, and brought the government closer to achieving a Naxal-free India by March 2026.
The ongoing momentum reflects strategic deployments, improved intelligence, and a rise in surrenders amid increasing disillusionment within Maoist ranks.