In one of the deadliest encounters in recent years, Indian security forces killed at least 31 Maoist rebels on Sunday during an intense gun battle in the dense forests of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. The clash, part of the government’s intensified efforts to eradicate the decades-long insurgency, also left two Indian commandos dead and two other security personnel wounded.
Senior police officer Sundarraj P. confirmed the toll, stating that additional forces had been deployed to the area, and search operations were ongoing. “So far, 31 dead bodies of the Maoists have been recovered. The number may rise as we continue our operations,” he said.
Security forces recovered assault rifles and grenade launchers from the fallen rebels, highlighting the intensity of the battle.
Government’s Crackdown on Maoists
The Maoist insurgency, which began in 1967 and is rooted in demands for land rights and resource control for marginalized communities, has claimed over 10,000 lives. The rebels, also known as Naxalites, have been particularly active in India’s central and eastern regions, often attacking government forces.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a “big success” in the drive towards a “Naxal-free India,” reiterating the government’s commitment to eliminating Maoist presence by 2026. Last year, security forces killed 287 rebels, with the majority of them in Chhattisgarh. So far this year, over 80 Maoists have been neutralized, according to reports.
Escalating Conflict
The latest gunfight follows a series of deadly attacks by Maoist insurgents. Just last month, a roadside bomb killed at least nine Indian troops, underscoring the ongoing threat. Despite government crackdowns, the Maoists continue to have influence in remote regions, leveraging local grievances over land and resource distribution.
With reinforced troops combing the area, authorities expect further engagements as they push forward with their counterinsurgency efforts.
