9 Maoists Killed in Encounter with Forces at Dantewada-Bijapur Border in Chhattisgarh

Bastar: Following an encounter with the security personnels in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, a total of nine Maoists have been killed according to a senior police official.  The anti-Maoist operation was underway since morning today during which a gun fight also began.

9 Maoists Killed in Encounter with Forces in Chhattisgarh

The gunfight broke out around 10.30 am in the forest along the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Maoist operation, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range Sundarraj P told PTI.

Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were involved in the operation, which was launched based on inputs about the presence of Maoists belonging to its west Bastar division unit, he said.

The intermittent exchange of fire lasted for a long duration, following which the bodies of nine Maoists clad in 'uniform' were recovered from the spot, he said.

Weapons Seized, Security Ops Underway

Besides, a huge cache of weapons was also seized from the encounter site, he said. Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai said large numbers of SLR rifles, .303 Rifles and .315 Bore rifles were recovered from the Maoists.

Security personnel were reported to be safe and the search operation was still underway in the area, he added.

Bastar region comprises seven districts, including Dantewada and Bijapur.

With this incident, 154 Maoists have been gunned down by the security forces in different encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year, the police said.

Movement of 35-40 Maoists Reported, Joint Operation Launched

According to the Superintendent of Police, Dantewada, “We have received information of movement of 35-40 Maoists in West Bastar division and Darba division. We acted on the intelligence input, the operation began at around 6 am and is going on. A joint operation was launched this morning. CRPF 111 unit and 230 young platoon launched the joint operation. We have also destroyed Maoists camp in the operation.”

(Inputs from PTI, ANI)