Naxals Come Out Of Hiding To Get Rations, Shot Dead By Security Forces

In an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma-Dantewada border, 16 Naxals were killed, and two jawans were injured.

16 Naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh. (Representational Image)

Source : PTI

As many as 16 Naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forest of Upampalli Kerlapal on the Sukma-Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh, said the officials on Saturday. 

The exchange of fire is still underway, said Inspector General of Police for Bastar range, Sundarraj P, adding that two 2 jawans sustained minor injuries in the gunfight. 

The encounter began following a joint anti-Naxal operation launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday when Naxals arrived in Upparapalli for ration, said Sukma DRG, reported IANS. 

As per the officials, the operation was undertaken based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of Naxals in the Kerlapal area under the Sukma police station limits. 

The joint team moved out for the search mission on March 28 and intermittent firing has continued till Saturday early morning. 

Authorities have said a detailed statement will be issued after the completion of the ongoing operation. 

On Friday, a jawan was injured during an IED blast planted by Maoists towards Bedmakoti, said the Bastar IG. The injured soldier was given first aid at the District Hospital in Narayanpur, and his condition became stable after initial treatment. 

Naxal-Affected Sukma Region

Sukma is one of the worst-affected districts in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region which has seen several Naxal attacks in the past. 

On March 22, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Parliament that Naxalism would be eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026. 

He further said that there were 16,463 violent incidents between 2024 and 2014, but in the last ten years, this number decreased by 53 per cent.

The Union minister told the Parliament that 1,851 security personnel were martyred between 2004 to 2014 but in the past ten years, the number of security personnel killed in the line of duty dropped to 509, a reduction of 73 per cent. 

The number of civilian deaths saw 70 per cent reduction from 4,766 to 1,495.