Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh – In a significant development in the ongoing fight against Maoist extremism, at least seven Maoists were killed in an encounter with District Reserve Group (DRG) personnel along the inter-district border of Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Kondagaon. The confrontation took place on Friday night, according to a senior police official.
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Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar of Narayanpur district confirmed the incident, stating, "Weapons have been recovered. The operation is underway." He further mentioned that the bodies of seven Maoists were recovered from the site of the encounter.
Three members of the Narayanpur DRG were injured in the clash and have been airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The encounter occurred in the Gobel area under the East Bastar Division.
The joint operation involved DRG personnel from Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewada, and Jagdalpur, along with the 45th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The team was conducting an anti-Maoist operation in the Abujhmad area when they came under fire from the Maoists, prompting a swift retaliation from the forces.
This incident follows a series of recent Maoist activities in the region. On June 2, Maoists set a mobile tower on fire in Durmi village, Narayanpur district. Additionally, on May 25, two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of Jappemarka and Kamkanar in Bijapur.
Maoist extremism has been a persistent challenge in Chhattisgarh, with the dense forests and difficult terrain providing a haven for Maoist groups. Despite efforts by the state and central governments, the region remains a hotbed of Maoist activity.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a recent interview with news agency ANI, highlighted the government's efforts to tackle Maoist extremism, expressing optimism that the problem would be eradicated within the next two to three years. Shah emphasized the impact of welfare schemes reaching tribal areas, a result of the BJP-led government's initiatives.
"The country will be completely free of the Naxal issue in the next 2-3 years. Since the BJP government came to power in Chhattisgarh, 112 Naxals have been neutralized, around 375 have surrendered, and 153 have been arrested," Shah stated. He also addressed criticisms from the Congress party, which has accused the government of conducting fake encounters.
The ongoing operations and the recent encounter underline the complex and dangerous nature of counter-Maoist efforts in Chhattisgarh. The government continues to push for stability and security in the region, aiming to dismantle Maoist networks and bring peace to the affected districts.