Major Clash in Chhattisgarh: Two Maoists Neutralized in Sukma District

Intense Encounter with Maoist Insurgents

Raipur: A significant encounter unfolded in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, where security forces clashed with Maoist insurgents, leading to the death of two Naxal members, including a prominent commander.

The confrontation occurred in the Pusgunna forest area, which falls under the Kukanar Police Station, an area notorious for Maoist activities. Among those killed was Baman, the Local Organisation Squad Commander of Pedaras, who had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head. The identity of the second deceased, a female Maoist, has yet to be confirmed.

The security forces retrieved their bodies along with a significant cache of weapons, which included an INSAS rifle, a 12-bore rifle, ammunition, and explosives.

This encounter was part of a broader anti-Naxal initiative led by a combined team from Kukanar Police Station and the Sukma District Reserve Guard. Acting on reliable intelligence, the forces initiated a search operation early Wednesday, targeting Maoist members linked to the banned CPI Maoist group. By around 2 PM, the situation escalated into a fierce gunfight, with multiple exchanges of fire.

In the aftermath of the operation, additional reinforcements were dispatched to enhance search efforts in the dense forest, aiming to locate any Maoists who might have escaped. The challenging terrain often provides insurgents with strategic advantages, complicating pursuit operations. This encounter occurs amid increased security measures in Sukma, following recent IED blasts attributed to Maoists in the area.

Just days prior, Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Rao Giripunje tragically lost his life due to a pressure IED explosion near Dondra village on the Konta-Errabora road. This attack is believed to be part of a larger Maoist retaliation, prompting security forces to intensify their counterinsurgency operations.

Authorities are on high alert, with Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan confirming that efforts will persist to dismantle Maoist strongholds in the region. This latest encounter highlights the ongoing challenges posed by insurgents in Chhattisgarh's Bastar area, where security forces are engaged in a prolonged struggle to restore peace.