Seven Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

RAIPUR: At least seven cadres of banned CPI (Maoists) were killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces at Mungedi village along the inter-district border of Narayanpur, Dantewada and Kondagaon on Friday night.

“On a tip-off a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur and Dantewada along with the 45th battalion of ITBP were out on anti-Maoist operation near the forested terrain of Thulthuli close to Orcha in Abujhmad area. The encounter ensued after the Maoists opened fire on the forces and the attack was swiftly retaliated. Seven bodies of Maoists in uniform have been recovered so far”, a police officer said.

The recovered bodies are yet to be identified, he added. So far 125 Maoists have been neutralised by the forces this year since January in Chhattisgarh.

Three DRG personnel also sustained bullet injuries and were sent to the hospital. Their condition stated to be out of danger. Some modern weapons were also recovered from the encounter site.

The encounter still continues with intermittent firing even as the cadres of the banned outfit were reportedly looking for a safe passage through the forested landscape of the region.

“The success achieved by the jawans is commendable. I salute their indomitable courage. Our battle to eliminate the Maoists will ultimately reach to its logical end and our government remains committed to it”, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai posted his statement on microblogging platform X.