A senior Maoist commander was killed in a fierce encounter with security forces late Friday night during an anti-Naxalite operation in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, police officials confirmed on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as Yogesh Kosra alias Ayatu, a divisional committee member and a key operative under top Maoist leader Manoj. According to police, Kosra played a significant role in Maoist operations in the region and had long been on their radar.
The encounter occurred deep inside a forest under the Jugad police station limits, where a joint team of security personnel was conducting a combing operation. Upon entering the area, the forces came under heavy fire from Maoists. A gun battle ensued, after which Kosra’s body and an automatic rifle were recovered from the scene.
“The exchange of fire was intense. Once the situation was brought under control, we recovered the body of a Maoist along with a firearm. Search operations are ongoing in the area,” said Amresh Mishra, Inspector General of Police, Raipur Range.
The death of Kosra marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on Maoist activities in the state. With this incident, 145 Maoists have been neutralized in various encounters across Chhattisgarh in 2025 alone, including 123 in the Bastar division, a region known for being a Maoist stronghold.
Security forces have intensified anti-Naxal operations in the region over the past few months, aiming to dismantle insurgent networks and restore peace in conflict-affected districts like Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Gariaband.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have not ruled out further engagements in the area.
Sources By Agencies