A total of 18 Naxals were killed and three security personnel sustained injuries in an encounter that broke out in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker, which lies in the Bastar region, police said.
“An encounter broke out between security forces and security personnel. So far, 18 bodies of Naxals have been recovered from an encounter site in Chhotebethiya of Kanker. A large number of weapons have been recovered. Three jawans have been injured. A search operation is underway,” Inspector General of Police (Bastar) P P Sundarraj told ANI that a search operation was in progress.
He also added that “This can be seen as one of the biggest anti-naxal operations in the area. The operation was launched after information of the presence of senior Naxals Shankar, Lalita, Raju, received.”
Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation conducted by teams from the Border Security Force (BSF) at COB Chotebetiya and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) took place on April 16, 2024, in the general area of Binagunda, within the jurisdiction of PS Chotebetiya, Kanker, Chhattisgarh.
During the operation, while still ongoing, the BSF Operations team came under fire from Naxal cadres. In response, BSF troops effectively retaliated against the attackers. Unfortunately, one BSF personnel sustained a bullet injury to his leg during the exchange of fire. However, he has been evacuated and is reported to be out of danger. In total, three jawans were injured during the encounter.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of seven AK series rifles and three light machine guns from the location where the exchange of fire occurred. Further details about the operation and any subsequent developments are currently awaited.