At least 14 Maoists were killed on Saturday in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, police officials stated. The operations, conducted by teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), took place in the forest areas of Sukma and Bijapur districts.
The anti-Naxal search operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs related to the movement of armed Maoist cadres in the southern region of Bastar. The security team later recovered the bodies of all 14 Maoists. A sizeable cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, SLR rifles, and INSAS rifles, as reported by ANI.
Two early morning gunfights in Sukama and Bijapur
The first exchange of fire occurred in Bijapur around 5 am, while another encounter began a few hours later in Sukma around 8 am. The DRG teams came under intermittent firing and returned fire during the joint battle. Out of the total casualties, two Maoists were killed in Bijapur, whereas 12 were killed in southern Sukma.
Who was Mangdu?
This was the first encounter of the year between Maoists and security forces in Chhattisgarh, according to The Indian Express. Among those killed in Sukma operation was Mangdu, who has been identified as the secretary of the Konta area committee. The Indian Express quoting Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chawan reported that “all armed Maoists in the Konta area committee were killed” during the operation.
A search and sweep operation has been conducted by police teams in the forest belts to look for additional weapons, possible safe house locations, and campsites used by Maoist groups in the region.
Part of wider anti-Maiosts campaign ahead of 2026 dealdine
Saturday’s twin encounter has taken place against a backdrop of a broader campaign aimed at weakening Maoist structures in the Bastar zone. As per a recent Bastar Police review, 2025 was termed as a “historic and decisive year” for the region in terms of peace, security, and development initiatives.
Inspector General of Police Bastar Range, P. Sundaarraj, told ANI that “precise and timely intelligence-based operations, strong coordination among security forces, and effective area domination” have led to decisive control over Maoists’ activities. He further added that the recovery of arms and the surrender and rehabilitation of senior cadres had strengthened the foundation of “lasting peace”.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a deadline of March 2026 for the elimination of Maoism, which aligns with the latest encounters. In Chhattisgarh, security operations have resulted in the death of over 500 Maoists since 2024.