A fierce encounter between security forces and Naxalites in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Thursday led to the elimination of 12 insurgents. According to a senior police officer, the clash took place around 9 AM in the southern forests of Bijapur, as a combined team of security forces embarked on an anti-Naxalite operation. Gunfire was exchanged sporadically between both parties until the evening.
The operation involved District Reserve Guard (DRG) from three districts, five battalions of the COBRA unit (a specialized jungle warfare unit of the CRPF—Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and personnel from the 229th battalion of the CRPF.
“Preliminary information indicates that 12 Naxalites have been neutralized in the encounter. The search operation is still ongoing, so detailed information is awaited,” the officer stated.
He assured that no harm came to the security forces during this encounter. Throughout this month, 26 Naxalites have been killed in various encounters in the state. On January 12, five Maoists, including two women, were neutralized in a skirmish with security forces in the Madde district of Bijapur. Last year, security forces eliminated 219 Naxalites in different encounters across the state.
Reports indicated that several weapons, including SLRs, were recovered from the encounter site. The operation involved DRG personnel from Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts, along with COBRA 205, 206, 208, 210, and 229 battalions.
As mentioned earlier, 26 Naxalites have been killed in different encounters in the state this month. On January 12, five Naxalites, including two women, were neutralized in a clash with security personnel in the Madde area of Bijapur. In the previous year, 219 Naxalites were eliminated across various encounters in the state.
