8 Maoists killed in gunfight in Chhattisgarh's Bastar
What's the story
Eight Maoists were gunned down by security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on Saturday, officials in the know confirmed.
The encounter occurred in the morning during a joint operation by the Chhattisgarh police's District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, and CRPF's CoBRA commandos.
The operation was conducted in the jungles under Gangaloor police station area.
Recoveries made
Operation recovers bodies, weapons
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P confirmed that they recovered eight Naxal bodies and a few weapons from the spot.
The weapons recovered included an Insas rifle and a barrel grenade launcher.
"The bodies of eight Naxals have been recovered from the spot. Many more ultras have either been killed or injured," Sundarraj said.
Ongoing efforts
Anti-Maoist operations intensify in Chhattisgarh
This operation comes as part of the continued crackdown against Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the region.
Security forces have intensified their crackdown against insurgents in a bid to wipe out Maoist violence by March 2026.
Last year, security forces killed 219 Maoists in Chhattisgarh, a major jump from the 22 killed in 2023 and the 30 in 2022.
Official statement
Chief Minister hails security forces' success
Lauding the efforts of security forces, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, "This is a big success for the security forces, I salute their courage."
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are determined to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
The encounter is significant as it took place in Bijapur district, where Maoists had killed nine people on January 6.
Infrastructure development
Government's broader offensive against Maoists
As part of their wider offensive, the government has been building roads and establishing camps in erstwhile extremist bastions.
Since December 2023, security forces have set up 17 new forward camps in erstwhile Maoist areas. This includes Abhujmad, a heavily fortified forest area across Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
State Home Minister Vijay Sharma urged Maoists to surrender or face severe consequences.