New Delhi: In a significant operation, security forces successfully neutralized a hardcore Maoist during an exchange of fire in the Maoist-affected Bastar division of Chhattisgarh on Thursday, February 8. The encounter took place when a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a counter-insurgency operation in the forest area of Gondpalli in Dantewada. Acting on credible intelligence regarding the presence of Maoists in the region, the joint team launched the operation.
Upon reaching the location, the security forces encountered heavy firing from the Maoists, prompting them to retaliate. After the gunfight subsided, the forces conducted a thorough search of the area, leading to the discovery of the body of a male Maoist cadre identified as Chandranna. Chandranna was a Divisional Committee Member (DCM) of the Jagargunda Area Committee of the banned CPI Maoist. Chandranna, who had been active in the outlawed outfit for an extended period, was wanted in multiple cases, with the state government offering a reward of Rs 8 lakh for his capture. Along with the body, security forces recovered a country-made pistol and other materials from Chandranna's possession.
This operation comes in the wake of an attack by Maoists on security forces in the Maoist-affected Bairiyo area of Chatra district, Jharkhand, on February 7, resulting in the martyrdom of two security personnel and injuries to three others. Security forces have intensified their operations in Maoist-affected regions, resulting in the arrest of two hardcore Maoists and the neutralization of four others, including those with bounties on their heads, in recent weeks. Earlier, in Narayanpur district, security forces eliminated two Maoist cadres in an exchange of fire. Additionally, two hardcore Maoists with bounties of Rs 5 lakhs each were apprehended in Kanker district. Similarly, in Kandhamal district, Odisha, a Divisional Committee Member (DCM) of the outlawed Maoist outfit was killed in a firefight with security forces.
The deceased Maoist, identified as Dasru, was involved in numerous cases of arson, looting, and murder, with several cases pending against him in Kandhamal district alone. The successful operations highlight the ongoing efforts of security forces to combat Maoist insurgency in affected regions.
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