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According to the Chhattisgarh Police, the operation was launched by a joint team of security personnel following specific intelligence inputs. (File photo)
At least two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district Saturday morning. Senior police officers confirmed that an intermittent exchange of fire is still underway in the north-western region of the district.
The forces are searching for Papa Rao, one of the last surviving Naxal leaders holed up in the Bastar region. Rao is a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), which is the highest state-level body in the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit. He is also the secretary of the South Bastar Zonal Bureau Committee and is in charge of the West Bastar Division Committee.
In another encounter in November last year, Papa Rao’s wife Urmila,40, and Kanna alias Buchanna, 35, who was a link between Maoists and their urban Naxal network, were among the six Maoists gunned down in Indravati National Park in Bijapur district. Rao was also involved in the 2010 ambush where 76 jawans were gunned down by Maoists.
According to the police, the present operation was launched by a joint team of security personnel—comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and other units—following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of a large group of Maoists in the hilly terrain.
“A search operation was initiated by a joint team in the forested hills of north-western Bijapur. Since this morning, there has been a continuous but intermittent exchange of fire between the forces and the insurgents,” said Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range.
Officials stated that due to the ongoing nature of the operation and the difficult geographical terrain, specific details regarding the exact location and the number of personnel involved cannot be disclosed to ensure the safety of the troops on the ground.
“The operation is still in progress. We are prioritising the safety of our jawans. A detailed briefing on the outcome of the encounter and any recoveries will be provided once the teams return to the base,” the IG added.
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In 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had set a deadline of March 2026 to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country. This year, 16 Maoists have been killed so far, including the casualties in Saturday’s encounter. Over 500 Maoists have been gunned down in Chhattisgarh in the last two years. With less than three months left for the deadline, most senior leaders of the banned outfit have been neutralised, while a few have surrendered and others have fled from the state.
Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More
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