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A fierce encounter between security forces and suspected Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Friday resulted in the deaths of at least 28 Maoists. The clash took place in the dense jungles of Abujhmad, a region known for its challenging terrain and history of Maoist activity. The encounter began around 1 pm, with a joint team of security personnel engaging in an anti-Naxal operation. This marks a significant victory for the security forces, following a similar incident in April where 29 Maoists were killed in Kanker district.
Abujhmad, a region straddling the border of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, is notorious as the 'unknown hill' due to its vast, unexplored forest spanning 6,000 sq km. The dense jungle serves as a stronghold for the Maoists, with several senior cadres of the CPI (Maoist) believed to be operating from the area. The encounter, still ongoing as of the time of the report, reportedly took place in the vicinity of Thulthuli and Gevdi villages, located in the southern part of Abujhmad.
Following the initial encounter, security forces recovered a cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and an SLR (self-loading rifle) from the site. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the weapons recovered and are expected to provide further details on the deceased Maoists on Saturday. The operation involved a significant deployment of security personnel, with over 1000 personnel from the Dantewada and Narayanpur districts participating in the anti-naxal operation.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, in a statement following the encounter, asserted the government's unwavering commitment to eliminating Naxalism from the state. He emphasized that the fight against Naxalism will continue until complete success is achieved. This encounter brings the total number of Maoists killed by security forces in the Bastar region in 2024 to 194. The ongoing conflict between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh remains a significant concern, highlighting the challenges in combating insurgency in the region.
Source: Security forces kill 28 Maoists in encounter in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur