Chhattisgarh: 12 Naxals, Including 5 Women, Killed In Bijapur Encounter; IG Says 'Their Base Weakened'

Inspector General (IG) of Bastar Range in Chhattisgarh, P Sundarraj said the encounter took place at 9 pm on Thursday where a large number of arms and ammunition were also recovered.

Security forces in Chhattisgarh encountered Naxalites in the Bijapur district, resulting in the recovery of 12 Naxal bodies, including 5 women.

Source : ANI

The bodies of 12 Naxals, including 5 women were recovered after the encounter broke out between security personnel and Naxalites in the South Bastar area of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday (January 16).

The Inspector General (IG) of Bastar Range in Chhattisgarh, P Sundarraj said on Friday, "Bodies of 12 Naxalites including 5 women, were recovered in the encounter that took place at 9 pm, between security forces and Naxalites on January 16." "A large number of arms and ammunition were also recovered. We are moving ahead in our goal of taking action against Naxalism," P Sundarraj told news agency ANI.

Earlier in the day, while addressing a press conference in Bijapur, IG Bastar said, "Yesterday, in Bijapur, after receiving information about the movements of Naxalites, our security forces went for the operation. At 9 pm, the encounter took place between security forces and Naxalites. 5 women and 7 men Naxalites' bodies were recovered in the encounter. The Naxalites were forced to flee in a jungle car during the encounter. This shows that their base has been weakened and they have lost their strength to a large extent."

#WATCH | Bijapur, Chhattisgarh: On the naxal encounter in South Bastar Region, IG Bastar P Sundarraj says, " Yesterday, in Bijapur, after receiving information about movements of Naxalites, our security forces went for the operation...from 9 pm, the encounter took place between… pic.twitter.com/8vMt9QhRZL

— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2025

Two Jawans Injured Amid Attack

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced that the two jawans injured in the Bijapur Naxal attack are in stable condition and out of danger. He stated that the injured jawans hail from Assam and Ladakh and are expected to recover soon, adding that one sustained a leg injury while the other suffered an eye injury and underwent surgery the previous day.

"Both the jawans are now healthy and out of danger. One is from Assam and the other is from Ladakh and they will recover soon. One jawan has suffered a leg injury and doctors have said he will recover soon. The other has suffered an eye injury and underwent surgery yesterday. It was a difficult area and a major operation was carried out by the jawans, "he added.

He also highlighted the challenges faced during the operation in the difficult terrain. Sharma added that the injured jawans had communicated with their families and that he had personally spoken to them as well.

The incident took place on Thursday morning when a pressure IED planted by Naxalites exploded near Putkel village under Basaguda police station limits, according to Bijapur Police. The injured personnel were evacuated quickly, and their condition remains stable. The blast came as security forces intensified anti-Naxal operations in the region.