In a significant anti-Naxal operation, security forces have neutralized 18 Maoist insurgents in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. The intense gun battle took place in the dense forests along the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts on Wednesday. Initially, reports indicated 12 Naxalites were killed, but a thorough search by Thursday revealed six more bodies, bringing the total to 18. Among the neutralized rebels was Modiyam Vella, a prominent company commander within the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), known for his involvement in several deadly attacks, including the 2020 Minpa ambush that resulted in the deaths of 17 security personnel. Vella carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh. The security forces also recovered a substantial amount of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles. Tragically, the operation resulted in the loss of three brave District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel: Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and Jawan Ramesh Sodhi. Two other DRG personnel sustained injuries during the fierce exchange of fire. This year alone, security forces have eliminated 275 Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, with the Bastar region accounting for 246 of these. The state has also seen 23 security personnel martyred in anti-Naxal operations this year.
