In a major blow to Naxalism, at least 16 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district. The encounter, which took place in a forest area under the Mainpur police station on the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, was described by officials as ongoing. Among those killed was a Naxalite leader carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty, marking a significant achievement for the forces involved.

The operation, carried out by a joint team of security personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) from Chhattisgarh, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) from Odisha, saw an exchange of fire that continued late into the night on Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday.

During this intense encounter, 12 more Naxalites were neutralized, underscoring the success of the operation. As the encounter unfolded, the security forces continued to engage with the armed Naxalites in the dense forest region, a known stronghold for the insurgent group.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to social media, calling the operation "another mighty blow to Naxalism." He praised the joint efforts of the CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police, stating that this operation marked a significant step towards a Naxal-free India. Shah’s statement emphasized that Naxalism, once a major threat to the country, is now "breathing its last," thanks to the tireless efforts of security forces across the nation.

Earlier in the operation, on Monday, two women Naxalites were killed during a skirmish, and one member of the CRPF’s elite CoBRA unit was injured, though the injury was reported to be superficial. The Gariaband Superintendent of Police, Nikhil Rakhecha, confirmed that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Mainpexchange Firur police station as part of the ongoing anti-Naxal operation in the area.

This encounter is part of a series of security operations aimed at neutralizing the Naxal threat along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, a region that has seen a significant presence of Naxalite groups in recent years.

The elimination of these armed insurgents, including the leader with the Rs 1 crore bounty, sends a strong message regarding the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism from the region. With ongoing efforts from security forces and the cooperation between various state agencies, the government aims to continue securing the area and dismantling the Naxalite infrastructure in the coming months.

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