13 Maoists Killed in Major Chhattisgarh Encounter Amid Ongoing Anti-Naxal Operations

Bijapur, Chhattisgarh – The death toll from an eight-hour encounter between security forces and Maoists in Bijapur has risen to 13, according to authorities. This significant operation is being recognized as one of the largest security actions in recent years.

Details of the Encounter

The encounter began around 6 a.m. on Tuesday during an anti-Naxal operation in a forested area of Lenda village. Security personnel, including teams from the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), were involved in the operation following intelligence about the presence of a senior Maoist leader known as Papa Rao.

As of Wednesday morning, officials have recovered a total of 13 bodies from the encounter site, with three additional bodies found early on Wednesday. This follows a prior operation on March 27, where six Maoists were also killed in Bijapur’s Basaguda area.

Ongoing Operations

This year alone, at least 43 Maoists have been reported killed in various encounters across the Bastar region. The ongoing operations highlight the security forces’ commitment to addressing the challenges posed by Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh, a state significantly impacted by such violence.

Implications for Upcoming Elections

The encounter is particularly relevant as Bijapur falls under the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, which is scheduled to vote in the first phase of national elections on April 19. Authorities continue to assess the situation and its potential impact on security and electoral processes in the region.