• Source:JND
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In a major success security forces gunned down 10 Naxalites, including top Naxal commander Manoj alias Modem Balkrishna, in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district on Thursday, the police officials said.

Modem Balkrishna was a CC member of the banned CPI (Maoist) whi carried a bounty of Rs 1 Crore over his head. Providing details, SP Gariaband Nikhil Rakhech said, "10 naxals, including CC member Manoj alias Modem Balkrishna, neutralised by security forces in Gariyaband district of Chhattisgarh."

The STF, CoBRA, and state police personnel were part of the encounter. Earlier, while speaking about the encounter, Raipur Range Inspector General of Police Amresh Mishra said that the gunfight broke out in the forest area under Mainpur police station limits when security personnel were out on an anti-Naxalite operation. 

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He said that intermittent firing was still underway. IG Mishra said, "Personnel belonging to Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action - an elite unit of CRPF) and other state police units are involved in the operation. Intermittent exchange of fire is still underway. As per the inputs received from the ground, at least eight Naxalites have been gunned down". He added that further details of the encounter was awaited.

What did Amit Shah say?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the efforts of seurity forces and said reiterated hiw vow to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 2026. Taking to X, he said, "... In Chhattisgarh, CRPF's Cobra commandos, Chhattisgarh Police, and DRG conducted a joint operation and eliminated 10 notorious Naxalites, including CCM Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj, who carried a bounty of ₹1 crore. The remaining Naxalites should surrender in time. The complete eradication of red terror is certain before March 31st."  

Earlier in the day, two CRPF personnel were injured in an IED explosion in the state's Dantewada. The explosion occurred when the personnel of the 195 Battalion of CRPF were on a demining operation.

ALSO READ: Jharkhand: Two Police Jawans Killed, Another Injured In Encounter With Naxal's Wing TSPC In Palamu

Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Rai said, "Two jawans were injured due to a pressure IED blast. One of them is an inspector. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) team jawan is critically injured. The injured are being treated at Dantewada hospital and will be airlifted to Raipur for better medical care".

Following the incident, the security forces launched a search operations and area domination in the Palli-Barsur road area of Dantewada district.

(With inputs from agencies) 

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