March 29, 2025: In a major breakthrough for security forces, 16 Naxals were killed in a fierce encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Saturday morning. The gunfight, which also left two security personnel injured, took place during an anti-Naxal operation launched by a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

According to officials, the operation was initiated on Friday night in the Kerlapal area following credible intelligence inputs about the presence of Naxals. As the forces advanced into the dense forested region, a heavy exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the deaths of 16 Naxals. A large cache of weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, several country-made firearms, and a significant quantity of ammunition, was recovered from the encounter site. The injured personnel were immediately shifted to a hospital in Sukma and are reported to be out of danger.

This latest encounter is part of a series of intensified operations against Naxals in Chhattisgarh. On March 20, security forces eliminated at least 30 Naxals in two separate operations in the Bijapur and Kanker districts. While 26 bodies were recovered in Bijapur, four were found in Kanker during combing operations. The recent successes reflect the increasing momentum of the government’s campaign against left-wing extremism.

The ongoing operations are aligned with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s multi-pronged strategy to eradicate the Naxal threat by March 2026. Security forces have been pushing deeper into insurgent strongholds, with the latest encounter marking another significant step toward restoring peace in the affected regions. Authorities confirmed that combing operations are still underway in Sukma to flush out any remaining Naxals.