• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:28 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Chhattisgarh Encounter: At least 29 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces on Tuesday in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, which lies in the Naxal-infested Bastar region, police officials said. Three security personnel, including two BSF jawans and one from the state police's District Reserve Guard (DRG), were also injured in the gun battle, which broke out in Hapatola forest between Binagunda and Koronar villages ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha election. According to the police, the loss of cadre suffered by the Naxal movement in the encounter was the highest number of fatalities incurred by Naxalites in a single encounter in Chhattisgarh.

As searches continued at the encounter site, the death toll was expected to rise further. The gun-fight between security forces and the Naxalites erupted when a joint team of BSF and DRG personnel was out on patrolling as part of an anti-Naxal operation, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said. The operation was launched on the basis of inputs about the presence of ultras in the area, the senior official said.

Two prominent Naxal commanders were among those gunned down in the encounter, the police informed. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from the encounter site, police added. Voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha election is scheduled to take place in Bastar on April 19, whereas, the Kanker parliamentary constituency is set to go to the polls in the second phase on April 26.

Chhattisgarh Encounter Top Points

- According to the police, top Naxal commanders Shankar Rao, who had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head, and Lalita were killed in the encounter.

- A large cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. "After the encounter, the area was searched and 29 Naxal dead bodies, along with a huge cache of AK 47 rifles, INSAS/SLR/Carbine/.303 rifles and huge quantities of arms ammunition, were recovered from the spot," the police stated.

- The security personnel injured in the gunbattle were being airlifted for better treatment, police informed. Their condition was stated to be out of danger.

- Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also holds the home affairs portfolio, lauded the outcome of the anti-Naxal operation, which he said was carried out "like a surgical strike".

- "The credit for this successful operation goes to security forces. This has been possible due to the strength and courage of soldiers. We are working under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji and the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai," Sharma was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

- Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security personnel involved in the operation. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he posted, "Today, the security forces killed down a large Naxalites in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured."

- Shah further asserted that Naxalism would be completely wiped out from Chhattisgarh and the rest of the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

- "Naxalism is the biggest enemy of development, peace and bright future of youth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri [Narendra Modi], we are determined to free the country from the menace of Naxalism. Due to the offensive policy of the government and the efforts of the security forces, Naxalism has been confined to a small area today. Soon Chhattisgarh and the entire country will be completely Naxal-free," Shah stated.

(With inputs from agencies)