Chhattisgarh: 36 Naxalites Gunned Down In Encounter Near Narayanpur-Dantewada Border

So far this year, at least 171 Naxalites have been gunned down by security forces in separate battles in the Bastar region, as per police.

The security forces launched the operation following intelligence reports of a large Naxal presence in the area. (Representative Image: ABP AI)

Source : ABPLIVE AI

At least 36 Naxalites were reportedly killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on Friday As per Chhattisgarh police, the gunfight started between 12.30 p.m. and 1 pm, between Thulthuli and Nendur villages in Abhujmaad on the border of the Narayanpur and Dantewada districts.

Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) were involved in the operation, according to Bastar Range Inspector General of Police Sundarraj. 

So far, at least 36 Naxalites have been killed in the encounter, according to a report by NDTV. Police have also recovered a huge cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and one SLR (self-loading rifle) from the encounter spot. The security forces launched the operation following intelligence reports of a large Naxal presence in the area. 

This encounter marks one of the biggest successes for the security forces in their fight against the Naxal insurgency in Chhattisgarh. Taking to the microblogging site X, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai noted that it was a big operation and congratulated the security forces. "Naxalism is taking its last breath... Naxalism is certainly going to be eliminated from the state... Union Home Minister Amit Shah has visited the state twice in nine months regarding this and he has resolved to end Naxalism by March 2026," Deo said.

“Our fight to end Naxalism will now rest only after reaching its conclusion, our double-engine government is determined for this. Our aim is to eliminate Naxalism from the state,” the CM added.

Earlier in September, Union Home Minister Amit Shah while meeting victims of Naxal violence from Chhattisgarh at his residence in Delhi, assured them that Naxalism would be completely eradicated from India by March 31, 2026. Addressing the people affected by Naxalism extremism, HM Shah highlighted the government's commitment to eradicating Naxalism and restoring peace in the regions in the grip of the rebels.

The Home Minister expressed deep sorrow over the suffering caused by Maoist violence, emphasising that those who use weapons and kill innocent people are undermining the stability of society.HM Shah urged those involved in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) to lay down arms and choose the path of peace.

So far this year, at least 171 Naxalites have been gunned down by security forces in separate battles in the Bastar region, as per police. The area comprises seven districts, including Dantewada and Narayanpur.