Four Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, a senior police official said on Sunday. One policeman also lost his life.
The official said that the gunfight broke out on Saturday evening at a forest in south Abujhmarh along the Narayanpur-Dantewada district border, when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation.
IG Bastar P Sundarraj, said, "4 naxals were killed and their bodies have been recovered, in an encounter between Naxalites and security forces. AK 47, SLR and other automatic weapons have also been recovered. Dantewada DRG Head Constable Sannu Karam was killed in action. Encounter still underway. DRG And STF of 4 districts involved in this operation."
Commenting on the state becoming naxal-free, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said, "Yes, it will definitely happen (state becoming naxal-free). The country is aware of the swiftness and strength with which our Government and security forces have fought naxalism in last one year. It is the resolve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate naxalism from the entire country by March 2026. We are also being benefitted by the double-engine government. I am confident that his resolve will be fulfilled."
This is the second incident in the year 2025 in Chhattisgarh. Earlier, an encounter took place between security forces and Naxalites on January 3 in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh. In this, the security forces were successful in killing three Naxalites. There is also information about some other Naxalites being killed or injured.