7 Maoists killed in anti-Naxal operation in Bastar
What's the story
In a significant anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, seven Maoists were gunned down by security forces on Tuesday.
The operation was led by a joint team from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF).
The encounter occurred around 6am on Tuesday within the dense forests of Abujhmad, along the volatile Narayanpur-Kanker border.
Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, security forces have accelerated their measures against insurgents aiming to disrupt the voting.
Encounter confirmation
Encounter took place around 6 am
The skirmish took place around 6:00am in the forest between Tekmeta and Kaakur villages in Abhujmad forest, Inspector General (IG) of Police, Sunderaj P said.
He stated that a joint team from the DRG and STF was conducting an anti-Naxal operation on Monday night following specific intelligence input.
He said, "As soon as they reached Kankur village, the exchange of fire started. After the gunfight stopped, bodies of seven Maoists, including two women, were recovered from the spot."
Operation Leadership
AK-47, other weapons seized from site
The police said that an AK-47 rifle along with a cache of other weapons and explosives were also seized from the spot.
Additionally, IG said, "We have launched a search operation and the identity of the Maoists is yet to be ascertained. "
With this incident, 88 Naxalites have been killed so far this year in separate encounters with security forces in the state's Bastar region, comprising seven districts including Narayanpur and Kanker, as per Hindustan Times.
Amit Shah
Shah lauds security forces for anti-insurgent operations in C'garh
The operation comes days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security forces for their successful anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district.
He highlighted that 29 Maoists were neutralized during these operations, marking a significant achievement for the security forces under the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Shah emphasized that this success is part of an ongoing campaign against Naxalism and terrorism initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure.