In a major success, security forces eliminated at least 28 suspected Naxals during a fierce encounter in the dense forests of Narayanpur district, located in the Bastar division, on Friday. The operation was part of an ongoing anti-Naxal campaign in the region.
Encounter in Narayanpur and Dantewada Border
Preliminary reports from the police indicate that the encounter took place around 1 PM in the Abujhmarh forests, along the borders of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts. A joint team of the District Reserve Guards (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) from both districts had launched an anti-Naxal operation based on specific intelligence about the presence of Naxalites in the villages of Govel, Nendur, Thulthuli in Orccha, and Barsur areas.
Clash Near Thulthuli Village
The security forces encountered the Naxalites in the forests near Thulthuli village. While all security personnel were reported safe, police officials confirmed that they had recovered 28 bodies of Naxalites from the site. The cache of weapons seized from the militants included automatic rifles such as AK-47s, Self-Loading Rifles (SLR), and explosives.
Ongoing Operations
Although a significant number of Naxals were neutralized, the encounter is said to be ongoing, with intermittent gunfire reported in the dense forest area. Authorities are still working to identify the bodies, and officials suspect that senior Naxal leaders might be among those killed. Separate teams have been dispatched to search the surrounding areas for any remaining militants.
Impact of the Operation
With this latest success, the total number of Naxalites killed in the Bastar region this year has risen to 171, according to Bastar police. The Narayanpur region, long considered a stronghold for Naxalites, has historically served as a safe haven where senior cadres would meet, camp, and strategize. The dense forests have provided them cover for extended periods, making it difficult for security forces to penetrate.
Naxal Confidence Shaken
However, with increased operations and deeper penetration by security forces into the Abujhmarh forests in recent months, it is likely that the Naxalites will feel the pressure. Officials believe that these continued operations will significantly erode the militants' confidence in their perceived dominance over the region.
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