Bijapur Encounter: 10 Naxals Killed, Including Female Member, Confirms Bastar IG

Security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur engaged in an encounter that resulted in the deaths of 10 Naxals, including a female member, as confirmed by Bastar IG P Sundarraj on Tuesday.

“Today, a team of DRG, CRPF, STF and Cobra Jawans were dispatched on the information of the presence of Naxalites under Gangloor police station of Bijapur district. Several encounters took place and so far the bodies of a total of 10 Naxalites have been recovered, including a female Naxalite. Weapons have been recovered from them,” IG Bastar told ANI.

“The search operation is ongoing,” he added.

According to police officials, the number of Naxalites killed in a clash between security forces and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur has now reached 10, as reported on Tuesday.

“Final update till now 10 naxal bodies (09 male and one female). Weapons recovered so far one LMG, one .303 rifle, one 12 bore, a huge number of BGL launchers and BGL shells plus other arms and ammunition,” Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, P Sundarraj said.

“Identification of deaf bodies has yet to be done. Most probably, they are cadres of PLGA Coy No 02,” Bastar IG added.

Following the clash, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma stated that the encounter occurred in response to the killing of three villagers by Naxalites.

“Bodies of Naxals are being recovered following an encounter operation by security forces after the murder of three villagers by Naxalites,” Vijay Sharma told ANI.

The skirmish erupted around 6 am on Tuesday in Lendra village of Bijapur, following a joint search operation by the District Reserve Group (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), initiated from Gangalur police station area the previous night, as per police reports.

Bijapur district falls within the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, slated for voting in the initial phase of general elections on April 19.