Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district witnessed a significant anti-insurgency success as security forces neutralized 18 Naxalites in a robust encounter. The operation, conducted in the challenging forest areas of the Bijapur-Dantewada inter-district border, led to a fierce exchange of gunfire. Officials confirmed on Thursday that the death toll from the operation had risen to 18, following the recovery of additional bodies.
A substantial haul of weapons, including automatic rifles like the AK-47 and INSAS, was seized from the neutralized militants. Among them was Modiyam Vella, a high-ranking PLGA commander with a price of Rs 8 lakh on his head. Vella was a known perpetrator of several violent acts against security forces, notably the 2020 Minpa ambush, which resulted in the tragic loss of 17 security personnel. His elimination marks a crucial victory for the state’s counter-insurgency efforts.
However, the success was tempered by the loss of three DRG personnel, who made the supreme sacrifice during the operation. Two more DRG personnel sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention. So far this year, Chhattisgarh has reported the neutralization of 275 Naxalites, with 246 in the Bastar region alone. The ongoing security challenges have unfortunately led to the martyrdom of 23 security personnel across the state.