In a significant counter-insurgency operation, 18 Naxalites have been killed by security forces in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place in the remote forest areas near the Bijapur-Dantewada border. Officials reported that the forces recovered a substantial haul of weapons, including INSAS and AK-47 assault rifles, from the neutralized Naxalites. Identified as a high-value target, Modiyam Vella, a commander of PLGA’s Company No. 2, was among those killed. Vella was known for his involvement in previous attacks, notably the 2020 Minpa ambush, and a reward of Rs 8 lakh was placed on his head. The operation, however, resulted in the tragic loss of three DRG personnel who were martyred, while two others sustained injuries. This success marks a critical step in the ongoing fight against Naxalite insurgency in the state.

