Narayanpur, November 16: In a major crackdown on Maoist activity, security forces killed five Maoists during an intense encounter in the dense Abujhmad forests of Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Saturday.
The gunfight erupted around 6 a.m. after security personnel launched a joint search operation based on intelligence reports of Maoist presence in the area. A team security personnel came under heavy fire, triggering a five-hour-long battle.
“One of the jawans stated that approximately 20 Maoists were present at the site. At least five were killed, and several others were likely injured. The operation to capture the remaining insurgents is ongoing,” officials reported.
During the exchange of fire, two security personnel sustained injuries. Khileshwar Gawade suffered bullet wounds to the head and hand, while Hiraman Yadav was hit in the thigh. Both were airlifted to Raipur for medical treatment and are reported to be stable.
Authorities recovered the bodies of five Maoists along with weapons. Efforts to identify the deceased are underway.
The Abujhmad region, bordering Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, remains a Maoist stronghold. Last month, security forces neutralized 31 Maoists in one of the largest operations in Chhattisgarh's history.
Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P., highlighted the progress in anti-Maoist operations, stating, “This year, 192 Maoists have been neutralized, indicating a sustained weakening of their grip in the region.”
