Chhattisgarh: Four Maoists killed in Bijapur encounter carried Rs 17 lakh bounty

RAIPUR: Four Maoists including two women and three high-ranking commanders carrying a combined bounty of Rs 17 lakh, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense forests along the Basaguda-Gangalur border of Bijapur district in Bastar division. The operation was launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) based on specific intelligence inputs, targeted Maoist activity in the highly sensitive southwestern region of the district. Officials said that the encounter began on the evening of July 26 and continued intermittently through the night. Following the exchange of fire, security personnel recovered the bodies of four Maoists from the encounter site. A cache of arms and ammunition was also seized, including one SLR rifle with three magazines and 15 live rounds, one INSAS rifle with three magazines and 40 live rounds, one .303 rifle with 16 live rounds, one BGL launcher with three shells, a single-shot .315 rifle, a 12-bore shotgun with 12 live cartridges, eight live AK-47 rounds, three small BGL shells, a grenade, and several items of daily use and Maoist literature.

Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav said the operation was carried out in response to confirmed intelligence regarding Maoist cadre movements under the South Sub-Zonal Bureau. The success came after careful planning and effective execution in challenging terrain.Preliminary identification of the slain Maoists revealed them to be key figures in the Maoist hierarchy. Hunga, an Area Committee Member (ACM) of Platoon No.

10 under the South Sub-Zonal Bureau, carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. Another commander, Lakkhe, also an ACM associated with Platoon No. 30 of the same bureau, was wanted with a reward of Rs 5 lakh. The third, Bhime, also an ACM, had a similar bounty. The fourth was Nihal alias Rahul, a party member who served as the personal guard to Bureau Communication Team Head Santosh; he had a bounty of Rs 2 lakh. These individuals were known to be involved in planning and executing violent ambushes against security forces in the region.Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj said that this operation builds upon the strategic gains made by security forces in 2024. "From January 2024 to July 2025, security operations have led to the elimination of 425 hardcore Maoists across Bastar. These successes are the result of precise tactical planning, coordination, and growing support from local communities," he said.IG Sundarraj also emphasized the extreme conditions under which the forces are operating. “Despite persistent rainfall, treacherous jungle terrain, and the inherent risks of monsoon operations, our troops are undeterred and continue to perform with unwavering commitment,” he added.