In a continuing effort to combat Naxalism, security forces have delivered a significant blow to the rebel group, neutralizing 14 Naxals in a joint operation along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. The police and paramilitary forces are working together to tackle the growing threat of insurgency in the region.
BY PC Bureau
Fourteen Naxal militants were killed in an encounter with Chhattisgarh police near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border on Monday, according to a statement from the Chhattisgarh Police. The police also reported that one of the Naxals, who had a bounty of 1 crore rupees on his head, was among those killed in the firefight.
The encounter is still ongoing, and more details are expected to follow.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao responded to the news, stating, “Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that we will make the nation Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. Our security forces are working courageously in this direction and are achieving consistent success. I extend my greetings to the security forces for their accomplishment in Gariaband. Ending Naxalism is essential for the development of the state.”
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Earlier Naxal-Related Incidents
On January 17, two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast by Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district. The incident occurred in the morning while a BSF road-opening party was being deployed between Camp Garpa and Garpa village. Narayanpur SP Prabhat Kumar confirmed the incident, and more details are expected later in the day.
#WATCH | गरियाबंद जिले के जंगलों में पुलिस जवानों ने नक्सलियों पर बड़ा प्रहार किया। मुठभेड़ में 14 नक्सली मारे गए, जिनमें 1 करोड़ का इनामी जयराम उर्फ चलपति भी शामिल है। बड़ी मात्रा में हथियार, गोला-बारूद और आईईडी बरामद।
ख़बर विस्तार से पढ़ने के लिए जुड़ें #PBSHABD के साथ, अभी… pic.twitter.com/SqXeaC0swG
— PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) January 21, 2025
The previous day, January 16, two CRPF jawans were injured in a pressure IED blast planted by Naxals near Putkel village in Bijapur district.
On January 12, five Naxals, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur. Several weapons and explosives were recovered from the forest area under the National Park in Bijapur.
Weapons Recovered
Among the recovered weapons were one SLR rifle, a 12-bore rifle, two single-shot rifles, a BGL launcher, and a locally made Bharmar gun. Explosives, Maoist literature, and other Naxal materials were also seized.
Ongoing Operations and Naxalism
Speaking about the South Bastar Naxal encounter, IG Bastar P. Sundarraj confirmed that the bodies of 12 Naxals, including five women, were recovered following a firefight on January 16. A significant number of arms and ammunition were also found.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the operation as “another mighty blow to Naxalism.” He praised the joint efforts of the CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police, stating that Naxalism is now “breathing its last” due to the combined actions of the security forces. Shah added, “The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralized 14 Naxals in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.”
The Naxals were killed in a fresh exchange of gunfire late Monday and early Tuesday morning in a forest area under the Mainpur police station, along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border.
