A fierce encounter broke out between security personnel and Maoist insurgents in the dense forests of Indravati National Park, located in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, on the morning of Thursday, June 5. According to police officials, a joint team comprising personnel from various security forces launched an anti-Maoist operation based on credible intelligence about the presence of senior Maoist cadres in the region. As the team advanced deeper into the forest, they came under heavy fire, prompting an intense gunbattle that is reportedly still ongoing.

The operation, part of a broader crackdown on Maoist activities in the Bastar division, highlights the persistent security challenges in this conflict-prone region. The Indravati forest range, known for its dense terrain and Maoist hideouts, has witnessed several deadly encounters in the past. Officials say the mission aimed to disrupt a possible Maoist congregation of high-ranking leaders. Though details remain limited due to the remoteness of the location, initial reports suggest that the exchange of fire is intermittent, and reinforcements have been rushed to the area to prevent any Maoist escape.

Chhattisgarh has long been a hotbed for Maoist activities, with Bijapur often at the center of such clashes. Security forces have intensified combing operations across Maoist-dominated zones in recent months, especially ahead of the monsoon season, when insurgents tend to regroup. Authorities have promised to provide more updates once the situation is brought under control and the area is fully secured. Meanwhile, the encounter underscores the ongoing struggle between the state and insurgents in India’s Red Corridor, where such confrontations remain a grim reality.