Ten Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's southern Sukma on Friday, said a senior police official. 


Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said the gunfight broke out in the morning in a forest within the jurisdiction of the Bhejji police station when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, reported PTI. 


The security forces launched the operation based on inputs about the presence of Maoists belonging to Konta and Kistaram area committees of Naxalites on forested hills of Korajguda, Dantespuram, Nagaram and Bhandarpadar villages, Sundarraj said. 


INSAS, AK-47, Self Loading Rifle (SLR) and several other weapons were recovered, he said, adding search operation is underway by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).   


Chhattigarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the security forces saying the "success achieved by the soldiers is commendable."






"Displaying their indomitable courage, the security forces took major action against the Naxalites in Sukma district this morning and killed 10 Naxalites in an encounter," said the Chief Minister in a post on X. 


"This success achieved by the soldiers is commendable. Our government is fighting strongly against Naxalites by working on the policy of zero tolerance," he added. 


"Ensuring development, peace and security in Bastar is the top priority of our government," Sai said.


Adding the Friday encounter, a total of 207 bodies of Naxalites have been recovered so far this year in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region comprising seven districts, including Sukma, police said.