In one of the most major jolts to Naxal insurgents in recent times, 16 Naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Saturday, officials told ANI.

According to Bastar Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj P, the gunfight took place in the Kerlapal area under Sukma police station limits during an anti-Naxal operation. The joint operation was conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). ‘’Sixteen Naxals have been neutralised in the operation. Two jawans have sustained minor injuries and are out of danger,’’ he told ANI.

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Amit Shah applauds forces

Reacting to the development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the security forces for their success. In a post on social media X, he stated, “Another strike on Naxalism! Our security agencies have neutralised 16 Naxalites and recovered a massive cache of automatic weapons in an operation in Sukma. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji, we are resolved to eradicate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026.”

He also appealed to those who were involved in the insurgency and said, “My appeal to those with arms that weapons and violence cannot bring change; only peace and development can.”

Anti-Naxal operation conducted after receiving intelligence input

The operation was held on March 28 after the security agencies received specific inputs related to the presence of a group of Naxalites in the dense forest area. ‘’The search teams moved out on Friday night, and intermittent firing started in the early hours of Saturday,’’ an official involved in the operation told ANI.

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As per the latest report, security personnel continue to search the surrounding forest terrain, ensuring no other member of the group remains in hiding. The region, which is part of the conflict-prone Bastar division, has witnessed many high-profile Naxal incidents in the past. This is the reason it is considered one of the most sensitive zones in the state.

This encounter took place just days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah restated the government’s commitment to eliminating Naxalism. While addressing the Parliament on March 22, Shah stated, ‘’Naxalism will be completely eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026’’ He gave a reference of data showing a 53% reduction in Naxal-related violence in the last ten years.

(With inputs from ANI)