18 Naxalites Killed in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur Encounter

A major anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 Maoists, according to official reports. The intense gun battle occurred in the forested areas bordering Bijapur and Dantewada districts. Security forces, engaged in a targeted operation, successfully neutralized the militants. Among the fallen Naxalites was Modiyam Vella, a significant commander within the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), who was reportedly involved in the deadly 2020 Minpa ambush. Vella carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh on his head. The operation also led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, including INSAS and AK-47 rifles. Tragically, the encounter also claimed the lives of three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel, with two others sustaining injuries. This year alone, Chhattisgarh has seen security forces neutralize 275 Naxalites, underscoring the ongoing conflict in the region.