Kanker, Feb 3 (PTI) – In a major success for security forces, a Naxalite carrying a bounty of ₹8 lakh was gunned down in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, police confirmed on Monday.
The operation, which took place on Sunday afternoon, adds to the rising toll of Naxal operatives neutralized this year, bringing the total to 50 since January.
According to Kanker Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Indira Kalyan Elesela, the gunfight erupted in a dense forest area along the border of Kanker and Narayanpur districts. Acting on intelligence about the presence of Maoist cadres from the North Bastar and Maad divisions, a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF) launched an anti-Naxal operation.
Following the intense exchange of fire, security personnel recovered the body of a Naxalite identified as Jatin Mandavi, a key member of the Maoists' military company no. 5. An SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) was also seized from the scene.
This latest operation came just a day after eight Naxalites were eliminated in Bijapur district, further intensifying the crackdown on Maoist insurgency in the state.
So far, a significant number of 34 Maoists have been neutralized in the Bastar division, which spans across seven districts, including Kanker.
One of the deadliest operations this year occurred on January 20-21, when 16 Naxalites were killed in Gariaband district under the Raipur division.
In 2023, security forces eliminated 219 Naxalites across Chhattisgarh, reflecting an aggressive push to curb left-wing extremism in the region.
Security forces continue to intensify operations in the Naxal strongholds, dealing major blows to the insurgent network in Chhattisgarh.
Last updated by a enewsx:
