NEW DELHI: In a big blow to Maoist insurgents, a minimum of 18 Naxalites, together with a prime commander, had been killed in a serious anti-Naxal operation launched by the safety forces in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district on Tuesday. The operation, carried out collectively by the Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard and the Border Security Force (BSF), unfolded within the forested areas inside the (*18*) Police Station limits.
Joint Operation By BSF, Chhattisgarh Police
The operation was meticulously deliberate after receiving particular intelligence inputs, indicating the presence of Maoist rebels within the Binagunda space. The BSF, in coordination with the District Reserve Guard, initiated the operation to root out the insurgency.
Chhattisgarh | Bodies of 18 CPI Maoist cadres who’ve been neutralised throughout an encounter in Kanker, have been recovered: BSF
7 nos AK sequence rifles and three nos Light Machine weapons have been recovered from the place of prevalence. During the EOF, 1 BSF personnel sustained a… https://t.co/frdqfG4OxL
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024
Fierce Gunfight Underway
Upon encountering the Maoist insurgents, the BSF group confronted heavy gunfire, triggering a fierce trade of bullets from each side. Despite the extraordinary resistance from the CPI Maoist rebels, the safety forces retaliated successfully, ensuing within the elimination of 18 insurgents, together with the high-ranking Maoist chief Shankar Rao, who reportedly carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head.
Recovery Of Weapons
The aftermath of the operation noticed the restoration of a considerable cache of weapons, together with 4 AK-47 assault rifles, together with seven AK sequence rifles and three Light Machine Guns (LMGs) seized from the encounter website. The profitable neutralization of the insurgents underscores a big dent within the Maoist arsenal.
While the safety forces dealt a heavy blow to the Naxalites, two Border Security Force personnel additionally sustained accidents through the gunfight. Fortunately, one of many injured personnel, who suffered a bullet wound to the leg, is reported to be out of hazard, signifying the resilience and valour of the safety forces within the face of adversity.
The operation, as of now, stays ongoing as safety forces proceed to comb the realm for any remaining insurgents or potential threats. The sustained efforts of the safety forces underscore the resolve to eradicate the menace of Naxalism from the area.
Encounter Days Ahead Of Polls
The timing of the operation, simply days earlier than the graduation of polling for the Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh, provides a big political dimension. With solely the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency set to vote within the first part on April 19, and Kanker scheduled for the second part on April 26, the encounter underscores the essential function of safety in making certain the conduct of free and honest elections amidst the backdrop of Naxal insurgency within the area.
