Bijapur: The Chhattisgarh Police have identified six Maoists, including three women insurgents, who were killed during a series of encounters in Bijapur district on November 11, officials said on Thursday. Security forces also recovered a cache of sophisticated weapons from the encounter sites.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P. Sundarraj said the operation was launched following intelligence inputs about the presence of CPI (Maoist) cadres in the area. The District Reserve Guards (DRG) from Bijapur and Dantewada, along with the Special Task Force (STF) and other security units, took part in the coordinated operation.
“During the operation, several encounters took place between security forces and Maoists. After the exchange of fire, six Maoists, including three women, were found dead at the site,” IG Sundarraj told reporters.
The deceased were identified as Kanna, a Divisional Committee member and in-charge of the Central Area Committee, Jagat, an Area Committee member, and cadres Mangali, Bhagat, and two others, the police said.
A significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, light machine guns (LMGs), and INSAS rifles, was recovered from the scene.
“Our security forces are well-prepared and capable. This operation once again demonstrates our firm resolve against Left Wing Extremism,” IG Sundarraj stated.
He reiterated the state’s goal of making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by March 31, 2026, noting that in the past 20 months, more than 2,200 Maoists have surrendered and joined the mainstream.
Highlighting recent progress, Sundarraj said, “Left Wing Extremism has been a major security challenge for Bastar and large parts of India for decades. The last few years have been decisive for our forces — over 450 Naxalite bodies have been recovered in the Bastar region alone. Several senior cadres, including Basavaraju, have been neutralised, and over 300 Maoist leaders and members have renounced violence in recent months.”
The police said that operations would continue in the region as part of the ongoing effort to completely eliminate Maoist influence from Chhattisgarh.
