12 Naxalites killed in major operation along Chhattisgarh-Odisha border

At least 12 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, police reported on Tuesday. This was part of an extensive anti-Maoist operation launched on January 19 in the Kularighat reserve forest near the Odisha border.

A senior official stated that the latest exchange of fire occurred late Monday night and early Tuesday morning in a forest under the Mainpur police station area, just 5 km from Odisha's Nuapada district.

Earlier on Monday, two women Naxalites were killed, and one CoBRA jawan sustained injuries during the operation.

Joint Security Operation Yields Significant Results

The operation involved personnel from multiple forces, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA unit, and the Odisha Special Operation Group (SOG). Acting on intelligence reports about Maoist presence in the area, the forces launched the operation to neutralise the threat.

On Monday, security personnel recovered a significant cache of firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including a self-loading rifle, from the encounter site.

While the number of casualties currently stands at 12, officials have indicated that the toll could rise as the operation progresses. The combing and search efforts continue in the dense forest region, ensuring no Maoist operatives escape.

This operation underscores the ongoing efforts to curb Naxalite activities along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, a region often marked by insurgent violence.