Security forces engaged in a fierce encounter with Maoists have successfully neutralized an armed insurgent in the dense forest-mountain terrain along the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh. The Maoist, identified as Rajesh Punem, an area committee member of the Bhairamgarh group, had a government reward of five lakh rupees on his head.
Following cautious tactical movements to guard against possible IEDs or further ambushes, the body of the Maoist and recovered materials were safely transported back to the Dantewada district headquarters. The operation commenced on March 3 after police received reliable intelligence about a hidden weapons and ‘Naxalite’ materials dump in the hilly area between Gumlanar, Girsapara, and Nelgoda villages under Geedam police station area.
A joint team, including members of the District Reserve Guard and Bastar Fighters, initiated the operation around 12:30 pm. While conducting intensive searches and securing the surrounding forest, the security force encountered sudden heavy fire from 8 to 10 armed Maoists belonging to the Bhairamgarh Area Committee.
The Maoists, positioned in ambush, fired indiscriminately from illegal automatic weapons in an attempt to eliminate the police party and seize their arms. In response, the security personnel swiftly took cover, issued warnings for surrender, and retaliated with measured and precise fire in self-defense. The effective counteraction led the Maoists to weaken and retreat, allowing them to escape under the cover of the thick jungle, rugged hills, and darkness.
A detailed search of the encounter site later recovered the body of the male armed Maoist along with a significant cache of arms and related items, including rifles, a pistol, walkie-talkie set, magazines, and rounds. The security force returned without any casualties among their personnel, marking a successful conclusion to the “anti-Naxal” operation as announced by Dantewada district police.
