Four Maoists Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounter Amid Intensified Counter-Insurgency Efforts
In a significant security operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, four Maoists were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces on Saturday evening. The confrontation occurred in the dense forests of south Abujhmaad, near the Narayanpur-Dantewada district border, an area long considered a Maoist stronghold.
The clash unfolded during an anti-Maoist operation led by a joint team of security personnel. Tragically, the operation claimed the life of Sannu Karam, a head constable from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), underscoring the high stakes and dangers faced by security forces in the region.
After an intense exchange of gunfire lasting several hours, the security forces recovered the bodies of four Maoists from the encounter site. Automatic weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a self-loading rifle (SLR), were also seized. The operation remains ongoing as forces conduct a thorough search of the area for any remaining insurgents and additional arms caches.
The encounter is part of an escalating campaign against Maoist insurgents in the Bastar region, where security forces have made notable progress over the past year. In 2024 alone, over 200 Maoists were killed in clashes, with the Bastar region accounting for 217 fatalities. This insurgency-hit area includes districts such as Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur, Kanker, Kondagaon, and Bastar itself.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate the Maoist threat entirely, setting an ambitious target for its eradication by March 2026. Alongside the fatalities, security forces have arrested over 800 Maoists this year, with 802 insurgents voluntarily surrendering—a development seen as a positive shift in the region’s volatile security environment.
Despite these strides, the fight against Maoist insurgency continues to exact a heavy toll. In 2024, 18 security personnel lost their lives in encounters, while 65 civilians were killed in Maoist-related violence. These numbers highlight the persistent challenges in securing peace and stability in the region.
As authorities continue their counter-insurgency efforts, the recent encounter underscores the complex and perilous nature of the operations required to neutralize Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. The government remains steadfast in its commitment to stabilizing the area and ensuring the safety and security of its residents amidst the ongoing conflict.
