Chhattisgarh: 3 Naxalites Killed In Bijapur Encounter, Total Of 192 Eliminated In Bastar So Far

In a gunfight in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces, marking a total of 192 Naxalite deaths in the region.

Representational Image | Chhattisgarh Police recovered weapons and ammunition from the deceased in Bijapur encounter, while a search operation continues.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

Three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Friday, according to police reports. The gunfight broke out at around 11 am on the forested hills of Rekhapalli-Komathpalli, located at the tri-junction of Usoor-Basaguda-Pamed in the district, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P told news agency PTI.

Personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) were involved in the operation, launched following inputs about the presence of Maoists in the area, the IG said. 

"After the exchange of fire stopped, the bodies of three Naxalites clad in uniform were recovered from the spot. One self-loading rifle (SLR), one sniper weapon, one 12-bore rifle, one muzzle-loading rifle, barrel grenade launcher shells, and ammunition were seized," Sundarraj stated. The identities of the deceased Naxalites are yet to be ascertained, and a search operation is ongoing in the area, he added.

According to police, with this operation, security forces have gunned down a total of 192 Naxalites in various encounters across Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, which comprises seven districts, including Bijapur. Earlier, on October 4, security forces had recovered the bodies of 31 Naxalites after a fierce gunfight in a forest along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts.

Bhupesh Baghel Tells BJP: 'No Party Suffered Because Of Naxalite Violence As Much As Congress'

In other political developments, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday hit back at allegations made by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Addressing the media as part of the Congress campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Baghel responded to Fadnavis' claims that ultra-Left elements were involved in Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Highlighting Congress' sacrifices in the face of Naxalite violence, Baghel remarked, "No party has suffered because of Naxalite violence as much as the Congress has", PTI reported. He recalled the 2013 attack in Jhiram Valley, Sukma district, where 29 Congress leaders, including former Union Minister Vidya Charan Shukla, were killed. 

"What problem does Fadnavis have with the colour red?" Baghel questioned, further accusing the BJP leader of raising "non-issues" due to frustration over becoming Deputy Chief Minister after serving as Chief Minister. He added, "In Chhattisgarh, our frontline leaders lost their lives in a Naxal attack, and yet they (BJP) are calling us Naxals."

Baghel also drew a controversial parallel, saying, "While the Naxalites do not accept the Indian Constitution, the BJP wants to change the Constitution. This indicates a similarity between the BJP and Naxalites." Additionally, he criticised the BJP for "splitting political parties" in Maharashtra and attacking democracy.