NEW DELHI: In a major blow to Maoist insurgents, a minimum of 29 Naxalites, together with a prime commander, had been killed in a significant anti-Naxal operation launched by the safety forces in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district on Tuesday. Earlier, it was reported that 18 Naxals had been killed and their our bodies had been recovered from the encounter website. Nonetheless, the variety of casualties is prone to rise as reviews instructed the presence of over 50 Naxals within the space when the encounter befell.
#UPDATE | Our bodies of 29 naxals recovered within the ongoing encounter between Police and Naxals within the forest space of the Chhotebethiya police station limits of the Kanker district.#Chhattisgarh
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024
Joint Operation By BSF, Chhattisgarh Police
The operation, performed collectively by the Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard and the Border Safety Pressure (BSF), unfolded within the forested areas inside the Chhotebethiya Police Station limits. The operation was meticulously deliberate after receiving particular intelligence inputs, indicating the presence of Maoist rebels within the Binagunda space. The BSF, in coordination with the District Reserve Guard, launched the operation to root out the Naxal insurgency.
Chhattisgarh | Our bodies of 18 CPI Maoist cadres who’ve been neutralised throughout an encounter in Kanker, have been recovered: BSF
7 nos AK sequence rifles and three nos Mild Machine weapons have been recovered from the place of incidence. In the course of the EOF, 1 BSF personnel sustained a… https://t.co/frdqfG4OxL
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024
Fierce Gunfight Underway
Upon encountering the Maoist insurgents, the BSF group confronted heavy gunfire, triggering a fierce change of bullets from either side. Regardless of the extreme resistance from the CPI Maoist rebels, the safety forces retaliated successfully, ensuing within the elimination of 18 insurgents, together with the high-ranking Maoist chief Shankar Rao, who reportedly carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head. Nonetheless, an official affirmation is awaited on this regard.
#WATCH | “Our bodies of 18 naxals recovered from encounter website in Chhotebethiya of Kanker. three jawans had been injured within the operation. Search operation underway. This may be seen as one of many largest anti-naxal operations within the space. The operation was launched after data of the… pic.twitter.com/7YeUxEzoq5
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024
Restoration Of Weapons
The aftermath of the operation noticed the restoration of a considerable cache of weapons, together with 4 AK-47 assault rifles, together with seven AK sequence rifles and three Mild Machine Weapons (LMGs) seized from the encounter website. The profitable neutralization of the insurgents underscores a major dent within the Maoist arsenal. Whereas the safety forces dealt a heavy blow to the Naxalites, two Border Safety Pressure personnel additionally sustained accidents in the course of the gunfight. Happily, one of many injured personnel, who suffered a bullet wound to the leg, is reported to be out of hazard, signifying the resilience and valour of the safety forces within the face of adversity.
The operation, as of now, stays ongoing as safety forces proceed to comb the world for any remaining insurgents or potential threats. The sustained efforts of the safety forces underscore the resolve to eradicate the menace of Naxalism from the area.
Encounter Days Forward Of Polls
The timing of the operation, simply days earlier than the graduation of polling for the Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh, provides a major political dimension. With solely the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency set to vote within the first section on April 19, and Kanker scheduled for the second section on April 26, the encounter underscores the vital position of safety in making certain the conduct of free and honest elections amidst the backdrop of Naxal insurgency within the area.
