In a tragic incident, three soldiers from paramilitary forces lost their lives, and 14 others sustained injuries in an encounter with Maoists along the border of Sukma and Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The encounter occurred near Tekalgudem village when a joint team of security personnel, including the Special Task Force, District Reserve Guard, and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a jungle warfare unit of CRPF, was conducting a search operation.
According to Inspector General of Police, Sunderaj P, the security personnel had set up a new camp in Tekalgudem, identified as a Maoist stronghold. Following the establishment of the camp, personnel were engaged in a search operation in the nearby Jonaguda-Aliguda villages when they came under fire from Maoists, leading to the deadly encounter.
Rescue operations are underway, and the exact number of injured personnel is yet to be ascertained. The injured jawans are being evacuated from the forest, and authorities are awaiting further details about the encounter.
Anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh have intensified since November 2023, reaching their peak in November and December of the same year, according to state police data. Reports indicate that the number of operations surged from four in July and August to 12 in November, with nine additional operations carried out in December 2023.
In the same period, security forces arrested 173 Maoists, with December witnessing the highest monthly arrest figure of 59 ultras. The data also reveals that 12 Maoists were killed in gunfights with security forces between July and December 2023. The rising intensity of anti-Maoist operations reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the region.
As the situation unfolds, security forces continue their efforts to combat Maoist activities in the Bastar region, and the incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing insurgency and maintaining peace in the affected areas.
Sources By Agencies