Security forces carry the bodies of slain Naxalites after the encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district. (Photo via X)
New Delhi/Raipur: Achieving a big success in combating Naxalism, security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district killed 29 Naxalites, including a high-ranking commander, in a major operation. According to local media reports, the top Naxalite commander who was killed in the encounter has been identified as Shankar Rao, who had a bounty of ₹25 lakh on his head.
Among the Naxalites killed were 15 females and 14 males, including Shankar.
Sundaraj P, the inspector general of police (Bastar range), told reporters that the gunbattle between the security forces and the Maoists took place on Tuesday afternoon at around 2pm during a joint search operation by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF) in the dense forests bordering Binagunda and Koragutta villages, which come under the jurisdiction of Chhotebetiya police station.
Update Total 29 Naxals killed today says IG Bastar P Sundarraj #naxalattack https://t.co/BUsRrFGxSr pic.twitter.com/IxJhap16hS
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay07) April 16, 2024
The ensuing gun battle was reportedly intense, with casualties on both sides. Three security personnel sustained injuries and were evacuated for treatment.
Sundaraj said the joint BSF-DRG search operation was launched after receiving intelligence inputs about the presence of senior cadres of the so-called “North Bastar Division” of the banned CPI (Maoist) Shankar, Lalita, Raju, and others.
16 April 2024
— The Gorilla 🦍 (@iGorilla19) April 17, 2024
In a major crackdown against the maoist menace in Kanker, Chattisgarh, a joint operation by BSF & DRG was launched based on specific BSF intelligence. The operation yielded huge success as the troops eliminated 29 CPI Maoist including top commander Shankar Rao. pic.twitter.com/g9lI0Yzokw
Following the encounter, a search of the area yielded a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, Insas rifles, and ammunition.
The encounter has been lauded as a significant blow to the Maoist wing handling the outfit’s supply network. It also marks the largest number of Naxalite casualties in Chhattisgarh’s history.
The development comes just days ahead of the first phase of the state’s Lok Sabha election, where the Kanker constituency votes in the second round on April 26. The incident is likely to be seen as a major success for security forces in the ongoing fight against the Maoist insurgency that has plagued central India for decades.
However, concerns remain about the long-term solution to the conflict. Naxalite activity is often rooted in issues of poverty, land rights, and social inequality in the region. Experts warn that addressing these underlying causes is crucial for achieving lasting peace.
