A significant success against Naxalism has been achieved by security forces in the Naxal-affected Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. A team from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) eliminated 12 Naxalites during a special search operation conducted in the Kistaram area.
Chhatisgarh Naxals Encounter: Security forces have achieved a major breakthrough in their fight against Naxalism in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. DRG (Dragon Reserve Group) personnel gunned down 12 Naxalites during a search operation. Security forces launched a search campaign in the Kistaram area of Sukma, during which an encounter with Naxalites took place. After several hours of gunfire, 12 Naxalites were killed. Troops recovered AK-47 and Insas rifles from the scene.
Search Operation Conducted in Kistaram Area
According to Sukma Police, security forces received intelligence that several hardcore Maoists associated with the Konta Area Committee were hiding in the forests of Kistaram. Based on this input, a special team of the DRG, led by SP Kiran Chavan, was dispatched into the forests early in the morning. As the troops were conducting the search operation, Naxalites suddenly opened fire on them. A fierce encounter ensued between the two sides.
Information indicates that the encounter lasted for about an hour, during which security forces gained a strategic advantage and eliminated 12 Naxalites. After the gunfire ceased, the area was cordoned off and a thorough search operation was conducted. Security forces recovered AK-47, Insas rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, and other Naxalite materials from the scene. Currently, the search operation is still ongoing in the entire area, and it is feared that the number of Naxalites killed may increase.
8 Lakh Rupee Rewardee Naxalite Mangdu Also Killed
A prominent name among those killed in this encounter is Vetti Muka, alias Mangdu. Mangdu, around 40 years old, was a resident of Goguda village in Sukma district and had been associated with the Maoist organization for a long time. He was the secretary of the Konta Area Committee and played a role in plotting several Naxalite attacks. The administration had announced a reward of 8 lakh rupees for his capture. Mangdu possessed sophisticated weapons and had long been a major challenge for security forces.
Another dangerous Maoist, ACM Hitesh, was also killed in this operation. Hitesh was the mastermind behind the IED blast that occurred in the Konta area on June 9th. In that attack, the then ASP Akash Rao Giripunjé was martyred. Security forces described this action as revenge for the martyrdom of ASP Akash Rao. Officials say this encounter will prove to be a major blow to the morale of the Naxalites.
