In a significant anti-Maoist operation, security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district eliminated 16 Maoists, while two District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel sustained injuries. The gunfight erupted early Saturday morning in the dense forests under the Kerlapal police station limits. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team comprising DRG and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched the operation on Friday night. Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P confirmed the casualties and stated that the search operation was still underway. With this latest encounter, the total number of Maoists killed in the state this year has risen to 132, including 116 in the Bastar division.

The operation led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and explosives from the Maoists. Among the recovered arms were an AK-47 rifle, self-loading rifles (SLR), INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, a rocket launcher, and a barrel grenade launcher (BGL). These weapons highlight the level of firepower possessed by the insurgents, making the operation a crucial success for the security forces. The injured DRG personnel sustained minor wounds and are reported to be in stable condition. Authorities continue their search in the area to ensure no remaining threats persist.

Chhattisgarh, particularly the Bastar region, has been a stronghold for Maoist activity for decades. The government has intensified anti-Maoist operations to curb insurgency and establish control over these remote forested areas. Security forces have been focusing on intelligence-based operations, leading to a surge in encounters this year. The recent success is being viewed as a major setback for Maoist groups operating in the region. Officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring peace and stability while continuing efforts to eliminate remaining insurgent threats.