A significant anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district has resulted in the elimination of at least 18 Maoists, including a prominent commander. The intense gun battle unfolded in the dense forests along the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts. Security forces engaged Naxalite elements during a pre-emptive operation, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
Initially, reports indicated 12 Naxalites were killed, but the recovery of six additional bodies on Thursday brought the total to 18. Among the neutralized was Modiyam Vella, a company commander within the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), known for his involvement in previous deadly attacks, including the 2020 Minpa ambush that claimed the lives of 17 security personnel. Vella carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh.
Authorities also reported the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles, from the encounter site. Tragically, the operation also resulted in the loss of three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel, identified as Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and Jawan Ramesh Sodhi. Two other DRG personnel sustained injuries.
This successful operation contributes to the ongoing efforts against Naxalite insurgency in the state. This year alone, security forces have neutralized 275 Naxalites across Chhattisgarh, with a significant portion in the Bastar region. While the offensive has seen considerable success, it has also come at a cost, with 23 security personnel losing their lives in anti-Naxal operations this year.