Chhattisgarh: At least 15 Maoists killed, 2 Jawans injured in Sukma gunbattle; search operation ongoing

Latest encounter: 16 Maoists killed in Sukma

On Saturday, at least 15 Maoists were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, a Maoist stronghold in the Bastar region. Two security personnel sustained minor injuries in the operation, which is still underway in the Upampalli-Kerlapal forest area near the Sukma-Dantewada border.

The encounter began on March 28, following specific intelligence about Naxal presence. A joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) engaged in an exchange of fire that continued intermittently through March 29. A thorough combing operation is ongoing in the area.

March 20 operation: 26 Naxals killed on Bijapur-Dantewada border

Earlier this month, on March 20, security forces neutralized at least 26 Naxals during an encounter in the dense forests along the Bijapur-Dantewada border. The operation, led by DRG and based on intelligence inputs, began early in the morning. One DRG jawan lost his life during the gunfight.

State Home Minister Vijay Sharma confirmed the recovery of 18 bodies and noted that several weapons and explosives were seized from the site.

Multiple encounters across Maoist-affected districts

In the Kanker district, part of north Bastar, a joint force of the Border Security Force (BSF) and DRG killed four Maoists near the Abujhmad forest area. No personnel were injured in this operation.

Separately, on January 21, 16 Naxals were killed in a joint interstate operation conducted by the Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police, backed by the CRPF, in the Nuapada-Gariabandh forest region. A top Maoist commander, Jayram alias Chalapathi, carrying a Rs.1 crore bounty, was among those gunned down.

The previous day, two women Naxals were also killed in Chhattisgarh.

The Odisha Police reported a significant recovery of arms, ammunition, and explosives, while search operations remain active in the region.

Union government lauds progress in Naxal-free mission

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security forces for their “mighty blow” to Naxalism.

“Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirming the government’s zero-tolerance policy for armed insurgents who refuse to surrender despite rehabilitation offers.

Shah also stated that India is on track to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026, with the Bastar region remaining a focus due to its history of extremist violence.

Naxal casualties in 2024 so far

Security forces have eliminated over 103 Naxals in a series of coordinated anti-insurgency operations across Chhattisgarh and bordering Odisha in 2024, marking a significant step forward in India’s effort to dismantle left-wing extremism under the ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. ’ In 2023, a total of 219 Naxals were neutralized in the Bastar region alone.

Affected districts include Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, Gariabandh, and Nuapada.

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