Security forces deal deadly blow to Maoists, 31 killed in biggest operation in Chhattisgarh

Several senior cadres, including Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) member and east Bastar in-charge Niti alias Urmila carrying a bounty of 25 lakh, were eliminated in a single anti-naxal operation.

Kothagudem: Friday’s exchange of fire between the CPI (Maoist) party and security personnel in Chhattisgarh, in which 31 naxalites were killed in the forests of Nendur -Thulathuli in south Abujhmad area on the borders of Narayanpur-Dantewada districts on Friday, is said to be the biggest one in the 24-year history of the State of Chhattisgarh and among the biggest in the anti-extremist operations in the country so far.

Several senior cadres, including Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) member and east Bastar in-charge Niti alias Urmila carrying a bounty of 25 lakh, were eliminated in a single anti-naxal operation. As many as 1,500 security personnel were said to have attacked the Maoists camp from all sides during the 48-hour operation. The security personnel reached their designated spot on motorbikes and jeeps to carry out the operation.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Inspector General of Police, Bastar range P Sundarraj said bodies of 18 men and 13 women Maoists were recovered from different locations in the forests. Of the 31 dead Maoists, 16 were identified so far. Divisional committee members Suresh Salam and Meena Madkam, platform party committee members (PPCM) Arjun, Sundar, Budhram, Sukku, Phulo, Basanti, Somo, Jamila alias Budhri (PM) of PLGA Company 6, Barusur area committee member Sohan, ACMs Ramder, Suklu alias Vijay, Jamli and Sonu Korram were those who have been identified besides Niti.

Many members of PLGA Company 6 carried a Rs 8 lakh reward on their heads. One LMG rifle, four AK 47 rifles, six SLR rifles, three INSAS rifles, two .303 rifles, many other calibre rifles and locally fabricated weapons were recovered from the encounter spot, Sundarraj said.

There was a possibility that a larger number of Maoists were either injured or killed in the encounter. A joint party of DRG and STF from Narayanpur and Dantewada had left for the villages of Govel, Nendur, and Thulathuli under Orchha and Barsur area police station limits two days ago following information about the presence of top naxalites of Niti and Kamlesh, the IGP said.

Stating that the DRG and Central forces took effective action against the Maoists in the year 2024 under Bastar division, he said that during the ongoing anti-naxal campaign, 188 naxalites were killed and 706 were arrested while 733 naxalites had surrendered.