In a big win for the Maharashtra Police, their special C-60 unit killed 12 Maoists, including a top leader, in Gadchiroli on Wednesday. The fight lasted over six and a half hours. Two police officers were hurt but are now safe.
The battle started around 11 AM in the forests near Jarabandi, close to the Chhattisgarh border. The police got a tip about 15 armed Maoists camping near Wandoli village. Seven C-60 teams, led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, quickly moved to the area.
Neelotpal, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli, said the fight began as the police got close to the Maoist camp. “In the gunfire, 12 Maoists were killed, and many guns were recovered,” he said. The police found seven guns, including three AK-47s, two INSAS rifles, one carbine, and one SLR rifle.
One of the dead Maoists was Vishal Atram, a leader of the Tipagad group. The police are working to identify the others.
This happened while Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were in Gadchiroli to open a steel plant in Aheri, 80 kilometers away. Fadnavis, who is also in charge of the Home Department, praised the C-60 unit for their bravery and announced a reward of ₹51 lakh for them. “We are proud of the C-60 jawans who killed 12 Maoists without any casualties on their side, even in the heavy rain,” Fadnavis said in Nagpur.
This success is part of ongoing efforts to fight Maoists in the area. Recently, Giridhar, also known as Nagsu Tumretti, the head of the Gadchiroli divisional committee of the CPI (Maoist), surrendered. On June 13, three Maoists, including a group leader, were killed in the Bhamragad division.
The Maharashtra Police success against Maoist insurgents shows their dedication and good planning. The recent fight in Gadchiroli is a big step toward peace and security in the region.
