In a significant operation, security forces eliminated four Naxalites during an encounter in the Gadchiroli district of eastern Maharashtra on Wednesday. The gunfight took place near the border shared by Gadchiroli with the Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh.
Police sources revealed that they received specific information on August 25th about the presence of Naxal groups, including the Gatta Dalam and Company Number 10, within the Koperashi forest.
Acting on this intelligence, the C-60, Gadchiroli Police’s anti-Naxal commando unit, along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), swiftly launched a search operation. Despite heavy rainfall, the team led by Additional Superintendent of Police Oratizans M. Ramesh entered the forest area early Wednesday.
The Naxalites opened fire as the forces conducted their search, leading to an intense firefight that lasted approximately eight hours. After the exchange, the bodies of three female Naxalites and one male Naxalite were recovered. Weapons, including an SLR rifle, two INSAS rifles, and a .303 rifle, were also found.
Ongoing anti-Naxal operations are focused on the border area between Gadchiroli and Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district. Joint search operations are being carried out by the District Police Force and Central Security Forces to locate any remaining Naxalites. This encounter is seen as a major success for the security forces, given the long history of Naxalite activities in the region. Officials have stated that the operation will be escalated to maintain pressure on the Naxalites and guarantee the security of the local citizens.