14 Maoists Killed in Sukma–Bijapur Gunfights
Major anti-Naxal operation nets senior cadres; weapons recovered in twin encounters
- 12 Maoists killed in Sukma, 2 in neighbouring Bijapur
- Senior Maoist leaders believed to be among those eliminated
- AK-47, INSAS, SLR and 12-bore rifles recovered
- First major anti-Naxal encounter of the year in Bastar region
GG News Bureau
Raipur, 3rd Jan: Fourteen Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and neighbouring Bijapur districts on Saturday morning, marking the first major anti-Naxal action in the state this year.
Of the total, 12 Maoists were killed in Sukma district while two were neutralised in Bijapur. Security forces continue to comb the dense forest areas, and officials said the death toll could rise as operations are still underway.
The first encounter took place in the Kistaram area of Sukma district during a search operation launched on specific intelligence inputs. As the security teams moved through the forest, Maoists opened fire, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. Sources said that senior Maoist leader Sachin Mangdu of the Konta Area Committee is believed to be among those killed.
There are also indications that the Maoist commander involved in the killing of Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Girpunje in Konta may have been eliminated in the same operation. Officials said several Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) cadre Maoists were present at the site, suggesting that a high-level Maoist movement or meeting was underway when the forces struck.
Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said formal identification of the deceased Maoists would be possible only after the search teams return from the forest. Security personnel recovered AK-47 and INSAS rifles from the encounter site.
In another operation in Bijapur district, security forces killed two Maoists and recovered one SLR and a 12-bore rifle.
Both encounters are part of an intensified anti-Naxal campaign in the Bastar region. Last year, a total of 285 Maoists were killed in encounters with security forces across Chhattisgarh, officials said.
