Inside the deadly encounter that left 31 Maoists dead in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

The operation involved personnel from the DRG, STF, and Bastar Fighters—state-level forces specialised in anti-Maoist operations (Image: News18)

In one of the deadliest anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, a joint team of security forces killed 31 Maoists, including 11 women, after trekking over 60 kilometres through the dense forests of Abujhmad and Indravati National Park.

The operation, which lasted 48 hours, also claimed the lives of two security personnel.

According to an Indian Express report, the encounter took place on Sunday, when security forces managed to surround a group of around 45 Maoists on a hill within the national park. Caught off guard with no escape routes, the Maoists engaged in a fierce gunfight that resulted in many casualties.

Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav confirmed the loss of Head Constable Naresh Druv from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Constable Basit Ravte from the Special Task Force (STF), both of whom had participated in multiple previous encounters.

The operation involved personnel from the DRG, STF, and Bastar Fighters—state-level forces specialised in anti-Maoist operations.

The mission commenced on Friday following intelligence inputs about Maoist activity in the area. A major operational hurdle was the absence of forward base camps, with the nearest police outpost located 30-35 km away.

“Carrying out anti-Naxal operations in tough terrain like Indravati National Park and Abujhmad requires extensive ground manoeuvring, covering over 60 kilometres on foot. This operation relied on conventional tactics along with innovative fieldcraft,” Bastar Range Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Since 2023, security forces have intensified operations, significantly weakening the Maoist stronghold. “Senior Naxal leaders previously used local cadres as human shields and escaped during firefights by exploiting the dense forests. However, improved tactics now prevent their escape,” said IG Sundarraj.

He said that local cadres appear increasingly reluctant to risk their lives for senior leaders, many of whom hail from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. “This shift points towards a decline in Maoist influence and cohesion,” he added.

Security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition after the encounter that include an AK-47 rifle with three magazines and 56 cartridges, two SLR rifles with two magazines and six cartridges, an INSAS rifle with a magazine, a 303 rifle with a magazine and two cartridges, a 315 bore rifle with 30 cartridges, 13 bore guns with eight rounds, six Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGL) with 14 shells, four muzzle-loading rifles, and nine Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

A noteworthy recovery was a larger-than-usual BGL mounted on a stand, capable of firing bigger grenades. “This weapon type was recently used to target a police camp,” Sundarraj added.

Five of the 31 deceased Maoists have been identified, including Hunga Karma (45), secretary of the West Bastar division, implicated in multiple attacks against security forces. The identification process for the remaining Maoists is ongoing.