30 Naxals killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh
At least 30 Naxals have been killed in an encounter with security forces in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The clash took place in the Abhujmaad forest, along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts. According to reports, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) began the anti-Maoist operation on Thursday, and contact occurred at 12.30pm on Friday.
Encounter followed intelligence tip-off, confirms IG
The encounter was initiated by a police team following an intelligence tip-off about the presence of Naxals in the region. All security personnel involved in the operation are reported to be safe. A joint team from Narayanpur and Dantewada districts is currently involved in the ongoing action. A search operation is still underway in the area.
Recent security operations target Naxal activities
In recent anti-Naxal operations, security forces busted a Naxalite camp in Sukma district, Bastar region on Thursday, where they recovered a large cache of explosives and other materials from the site. On October 1, police recovered three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Naxals beneath a dirt track in Narayanpur district. The IEDs were detected near Hokpad village during a joint patrol by the district force and the 53rd battalion of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Naxalism confined to few districts, claims CRPF official
On September 30, Amit Kumar, Additional Director General (ADG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), stated that Naxalism is largely confined to two or three districts of Chhattisgarh. He predicted that left-wing extremism will become history in the next one-and-a-half years. Kumar also claimed that some states previously affected by left-wing extremism have now become Naxal-free.
