February 10, 2025: The Chhattisgarh police have identified five of the 31 Maoists killed in Sunday’s encounter in Bijapur, including a high-ranking Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) of the banned CPI (Maoist). The operation, which was based on intelligence inputs, marked a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency in the region.
Addressing a press conference in Bijapur, Inspector General of Police, Bastar range, Sunderaj P confirmed that among the identified Maoists was Hunga Karma, DVCM of the West Bastar Division, who carried a bounty of ₹8 lakh on his head. Others included Mangu Hemla, a commander in Platoon Number 11 with a ₹5 lakh reward, Subhash Oyam of the Indrawati National Park Area Committee, Sannu from the Gangalur Area Committee, and Ramesh, a member of the National Park Area Committee. The remaining 26 bodies are yet to be identified.
Bijapur Superintendent of Police, Jitendra Kumar Yadav, stated that security forces had launched the operation based on credible intelligence about the presence of senior Maoist leaders such as Bandi Prakash and Bhaskar. During the fierce encounter, 31 uniformed Maoists, including 11 women, were killed. Evidence at the site, including bloodstains and drag marks, suggested that several more Maoists might have been injured or killed and taken away by their comrades. A large cache of weapons, explosives, and other Maoist materials was seized from the scene, further highlighting the scale of the operation.
The recovered weapons included an AK-47 rifle, an SLR rifle, an INSAS rifle, a .303 rifle, a .315 bore rifle, and a BGL Rocket Launcher with its stand, along with six BGL launchers and laser printers. Additionally, police confiscated large quantities of explosives, Maoist uniforms, literature, medicines, and daily-use items. The SP urged Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream, warning that those who continued their activities would face severe consequences.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Dev Gautam paid homage to two security personnel who lost their lives in the encounter. During a wreath-laying ceremony at New Police Lines, tributes were offered to District Reserve Guard (DRG) Head Constable Naresh Dhruv, a resident of Bhatapara in Balodabazar district, and Special Task Force (STF) Constable Wasit Rawate from Balod district. Speaking at the ceremony, the DGP emphasized that their sacrifice would inspire security personnel in their continued efforts to eradicate Maoism from the region.
The Bijapur encounter stands as one of the most significant operations against Maoists in recent times. With the elimination of several high-profile insurgents and the recovery of a substantial arsenal, security forces have dealt a decisive blow to the Maoist presence in the Bastar region.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Bijapur Encounter: Five Maoists Identified as Security Forces Intensify Crackdown; Tributes Paid to Martyred Jawans
February 10, 2025: The Chhattisgarh police have identified five of the 31 Maoists killed in Sunday’s encounter in Bijapur, including a high-ranking Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) of the banned CPI (Maoist). The operation, which was based on intelligence inputs, marked a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency in the region.
Addressing a press conference in Bijapur, Inspector General of Police, Bastar range, Sunderaj P confirmed that among the identified Maoists was Hunga Karma, DVCM of the West Bastar Division, who carried a bounty of ₹8 lakh on his head. Others included Mangu Hemla, a commander in Platoon Number 11 with a ₹5 lakh reward, Subhash Oyam of the Indrawati National Park Area Committee, Sannu from the Gangalur Area Committee, and Ramesh, a member of the National Park Area Committee. The remaining 26 bodies are yet to be identified.
Bijapur Superintendent of Police, Jitendra Kumar Yadav, stated that security forces had launched the operation based on credible intelligence about the presence of senior Maoist leaders such as Bandi Prakash and Bhaskar. During the fierce encounter, 31 uniformed Maoists, including 11 women, were killed. Evidence at the site, including bloodstains and drag marks, suggested that several more Maoists might have been injured or killed and taken away by their comrades. A large cache of weapons, explosives, and other Maoist materials was seized from the scene, further highlighting the scale of the operation.
The recovered weapons included an AK-47 rifle, an SLR rifle, an INSAS rifle, a .303 rifle, a .315 bore rifle, and a BGL Rocket Launcher with its stand, along with six BGL launchers and laser printers. Additionally, police confiscated large quantities of explosives, Maoist uniforms, literature, medicines, and daily-use items. The SP urged Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream, warning that those who continued their activities would face severe consequences.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Dev Gautam paid homage to two security personnel who lost their lives in the encounter. During a wreath-laying ceremony at New Police Lines, tributes were offered to District Reserve Guard (DRG) Head Constable Naresh Dhruv, a resident of Bhatapara in Balodabazar district, and Special Task Force (STF) Constable Wasit Rawate from Balod district. Speaking at the ceremony, the DGP emphasized that their sacrifice would inspire security personnel in their continued efforts to eradicate Maoism from the region.
The Bijapur encounter stands as one of the most significant operations against Maoists in recent times. With the elimination of several high-profile insurgents and the recovery of a substantial arsenal, security forces have dealt a decisive blow to the Maoist presence in the Bastar region.