A significant anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district has resulted in the elimination of at least 18 Maoist insurgents. The fierce encounter, which took place in the dense forests bordering Bijapur and Dantewada districts, saw security forces engage with Naxalite cadres. Initially, reports indicated 12 fatalities, but a thorough search on Thursday confirmed six more bodies, bringing the total to 18.
Among the neutralized insurgents was Modiyam Vella, a prominent commander within the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). Vella, who carried an Rs 8 lakh bounty, was reportedly involved in several deadly attacks, including the 2020 Minpa ambush that claimed the lives of 17 security personnel. The recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles, from the encounter site underscores the intensity of the operation.
Tragically, the operation also resulted in the loss of three brave personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) in Bijapur. Two other DRG members sustained injuries during the exchange of fire. This year, Chhattisgarh has seen a significant number of Naxalite neutralizations, totaling 275, with the Bastar region accounting for the majority. However, the ongoing fight against insurgency has also claimed the lives of 23 security personnel across the state.