The Aryavarth Express
Bijapur (Chhattisgarh): Seven Maoists were killed and three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel lost their lives in a fierce gunfight along the Bijapur–Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Wednesday, officials said.
According to Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav, a large-scale joint operation was launched in the West Bastar Division by teams of DRG Dantewada–Bijapur, STF, CRPF and CoBRA. Intermittent firing began around 9 am, leading to a prolonged exchange of fire.
Bastar Range IGP Sundarraj P confirmed that the bodies of seven Maoists had been recovered, along with SLRs, .303 rifles and other ammunition. The identities of the deceased Maoists are yet to be established.
The encounter also claimed the lives of three DRG personnel — Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and one more jawan. Two others, including Somdev Yadav, were injured. Officials said Yadav is out of danger and has been moved for further treatment.
Security forces have reinforced the area and continue to maintain a strict cordon as the operation remains underway.
ITBP Secures Key Naxal Corridor After Year-Long Push
In a significant development in the broader anti-Naxal campaign, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has completed a year-long territorial expansion into the dense Abujhmad region, sealing what officials describe as the last major interstate movement corridor used by Maoist insurgents.
On November 28, ITBP established the Lanka Company Operating Base (COB) — the ninth camp set up within three months — around 135 km from Narayanpur. The new base, situated just 3 km from the Maharashtra border, is jointly manned by ITBP’s 44th Battalion, Chhattisgarh Police, and DRG personnel.
The Lanka COB effectively blocks a critical southeastern supply and transit route linking Naxal-dominated pockets across Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) and adjoining areas of Telangana, marking a major blow to the insurgents’ cross-border mobility.
Further updates on the Bijapur encounter are awaited.
