Tragedy struck in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Wednesday as a pre-dawn anti-Naxal operation turned deadly. Six Naxalites were eliminated during a fierce encounter in the Gangaloor forest region, near the border with Dantewada. However, the operation also claimed the lives of two brave jawans from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), who were serving the nation.
The gun battle erupted when a combined security force, including members of the DRG, STF, and the specialized CoBRA unit, was conducting a combing operation. Sources indicate the exchange of gunfire persisted for about two hours. While the security forces achieved a significant success in eliminating six Maoist fighters, the loss of their personnel has cast a somber shadow.
Security officials are maintaining a tight cordon around the area as the operation continues. It is anticipated that the final toll among the Naxalites may rise as the full extent of the engagement is assessed. This operation highlights the persistent threat posed by Naxal insurgency in the state and the sacrifices made by security forces to counter it. The state has reported a high number of Naxalite killings this year, reflecting the intensity of the conflict.