Security forces in Chhattisgarh continue offensive against PLGA battalion No 1

Bijapur Superintendent of Police Dr. Jitendra Kumar Yadav said in an exchange of fire between the security forces and PLGA Battalion No. 1 and Central Regional Committee (CRC) bodies of 12 hardcore naxals were recovered along with weapons

Kothagudem: Security forces in Chhattisgarh have been continuing a major offensive, which was launched on Thursday, against CPI (Maoist) Party’s People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) battalion No 1.

It was said that over 1,800 personnel of Cobra Battalion No. 204,205,206,208,210 and CRPF Battalion No.229, District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Sukma, Bijapur and Dantewada districts and Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) involved in the anti-naxal operation in south Bastar division Pamed-Basaguda-Usur area.

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Bijapur Superintendent of Police Dr. Jitendra Kumar Yadav in a release on Friday said in an exchange of fire between the security forces and PLGA Battalion No. 1 and Central Regional Committee (CRC) bodies of 12 hardcore naxals were recovered along with weapons. Detailed information would be given after the completion of the search operations by 5 pm in the day.

The naxalite battalion was said to have camped on the banks of Taliperu and Chintavagu rivers on the borders of Bijapur and Sukma districts. Based on the information, the security forces, dispatched in six units, surrounded the PLGA battalion No1 led by its commander Hidma, who was said to have managed to escape.

According to sources the PLGA’s battalion No. 1 consists of around 180 naxals, divided into two companies. The battalion was set up in 2008 and possesses AK series rifles, mortars and UBGLs (under barrel grenade launchers). Eliminating the well-trained and highly disciplined battalion has been the top priority for the Chhattisgarh police.

During the search operations on Thursday two jawans, Mrudul Burman and Mohammad Ishaq got injured seriously in an IED blast. They were airlifted and taken to Raipur for treatment.