Over 4-6 Ultra Killed Or Injured In Gunbattle With Naxalites In Chhattisgarh’s Sukma: Officials

A fierce encounter took place between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, either killing or injuring at least four to six ultras.

At least four to six ultras either got killed or sustained injuries after a fierce gunbattle took place between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Saturday, said officials. They added that Naxalites took away all the bodies with them into the forest as they were not found at the encounter site, reported news agency PTI. A police official said the encounter broke out in the forest of Chhotekedwal village, which is located in a Maoist stronghold when most security personnel were on an anti-Naxalite operation. The encounter site is on the border of Chintagufa and Kistaram police station limits.

The official said personnel from the state police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) of the Central Reserve Police Force were involved in the operation.

"The operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of Divisional Committee member and in charge of Kistaram area committee of Maoists Raju and in-charge of platoon number 8 Masa along with 30-35 cadres in Chhotekedwal, Badekedwal and Singhanmadgu villages to observe the outlawed movement's martyrs' week,” he said, as quoted by PTI

During the encounter, the Naxalites opened fire on security personnel and who then retaliated. The gunbattle continued for at least one hour and resulted in four to six ultras getting injured or killed.

The official further said, "The ultras managed to drag the injured or dead into the forests. A search operation is underway in the area.” The incident took place during the 'martyrs' week' that Naxalites observe from July 28 to August 3 to mark the deaths of their colleagues in action.

Security is beefed up during the martyrs' week in multiple Naxalite-affected regions. Special security arrangements are made in seven districts such as Bastar division, Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker, to thwart serval attempts of ultras to carry out activities to damage public property and target police and paramilitary personnel during this period.