NEW DELHI: Security forces killed at least 16 Maoists during an intense encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Saturday. Two jawans sustained minor injuries in the operation, which is still ongoing.
Sukma Superintendent of Police, Kiran Chavan, confirmed that the clash occurred in the Upampalli Kerlapal forest area, located along the Sukma-Dantewada border. The joint operation involved the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Officials stated that the assault was initiated following specific intelligence regarding the presence of Naxalites in the region.
The search operation commenced on March 28, with the exchange of gunfire continuing through the early hours of March 29. Security personnel are now thoroughly combing the encounter site and nearby forested areas.
Sukma, part of the Bastar region, remains one of Chhattisgarh’s most affected districts by Maoist insurgency. In a separate incident on Friday, a jawan was injured in Narayanpur district when a Maoist-planted improvised explosive device (IED) detonated. The injured soldier was promptly hospitalized.
(With PTI Inputs)