Two Naxalites killed in encounter with security forces in Bijapur

Two Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district during an anti-Naxal operation. Arms were recovered from the spot and a search operation is still underway, police said

Bijapur (Chhattisgarh): Two Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Thursday, police said.

The exchange of fire broke out in a forest along the Indravati river in the morning when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, a senior police official said.

---

After the guns fell silent, bodies of two Naxalites, clad in uniform, along with a self-loading rifle, an Insas rifle, and a 12-bore rifle were recovered from the spot, he said.

A search operation was still underway, he added.

With this action, at least 25 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters in the state so far this year.

Earlier, 14 Maoists were gunned down in two encounters on January 3 in the Bastar region, which comprises seven districts, including Bijapur.

Last year, 285 Maoists were killed in various encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh.

The Centre has set a deadline of March 31 this year to eradicate Left Wing Extremism from the country.