Maoist killed in Dantewada

A Maoist carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh on his head was gunned down by security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district late Wednesday (March 4, 2026) evening, the police said.

Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said the Maoist was identified as Rajesh Punem, a resident of Burji village under the Gangaloor police station limits in Bijapur district.

A gunfight took place on Wednesday night in the forested hills when a joint team of the District Reserve Guard and Bastar Fighters, both units of the State police, was out on an anti-maoist operation.

The operation was launched after the police received inputs that Maoists were dumping weapons and other materials in the forested hill region between Gumalnar, Girsapara and Nelgoda villages in the Geedam area, bordering Bijapur district.

“At 12.30 p.m., the police force left for the suspected dump site and was proceeding ahead after conducting intensive search and cordoning off the forest and hilly area. At around 8.30-9.00 p.m., 8-10 armed Maoists of Bhairamgarh Area Committee, who were already lying in ambush, opened indiscriminate and deadly fire with illegal automatic weapons with the intention of killing the police party and looting the weapons,” Mr. Rai said.

The officer added that the police immediately took cover and warned the Maoists to surrender, but they continued firing. After the exchange of fire stopped and a search was conducted, a body was recovered and later identified as Punem, a member of the Bhairamgarh Area Committee.

Weapons such as a self-loading rifle, an INSAS rifle, a pistol with a magazine and live cartridges, empty shells and a walkie-talkie set were recovered, said Mr. Rai.