RAIPUR: Two senior Maoist operatives were killed in a gun battle with security forces late Tuesday evening in the forested region along the Kondagaon-Narayanpur district border in Chhattisgarh. Both insurgents carried a combined bounty of ₹13 lakh on their heads.
The encounter occurred in the Kilam-Bargum forest area, according to a statement issued by the police. The slain Maoists have been identified as Haldar, a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) with an ₹8 lakh bounty, and Rame, an Area Committee Member (ACM) with a ₹5 lakh reward.
Acting on specific intelligence regarding Maoist movement in the area, a joint team from the Kondagaon District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters launched a search operation on April 15. The encounter unfolded in the evening when the Maoists were spotted during the combing operation.
After the exchange of fire, security forces recovered the bodies of the two insurgents. An AK-47 rifle, other firearms, explosives, and Maoist-related materials were also seized from the encounter site.
"The neutralization of these high-ranking cadres is a significant blow to Maoist operations in the East Bastar Division," a senior police officer said. "They were involved in several violent activities in the region, and their elimination marks a major success for our forces."
Search operations resumed Wednesday morning to track down any remaining insurgents and ensure the area is fully secured. Police said additional information will be shared once the operation concludes.
