14 Maoists Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounters, Security Forces Seize Automatic Weapons

At least 14 Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh on Friday, as anti-Naxal operations intensified in the state’s Bastar region. The encounters took place in the Sukma and Bijapur districts, where security personnel recovered a large cache of automatic weapons, officials confirmed.

In the first operation, 12 Maoists were neutralised during a late-night encounter in Sukma district. The operation was launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) following intelligence inputs about the movement of armed Maoist cadres in the forested areas under the Kistaram police station limits. Security forces moved into the Palodi and Potakpalli regions, leading to a fierce exchange of fire near Pamlur village.

During the gunfight, forces successfully eliminated 12 Maoists. Among those killed was Mangdu, a senior Maoist leader who served as the secretary of the Konta Area Committee, a key operational unit within the outlawed organisation. The identities of the remaining Maoists killed in the encounter are yet to be officially confirmed.

Security personnel recovered several automatic weapons from the site, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles, indicating the presence of a heavily armed Maoist unit in the area. Officials said the operation was closely monitored at senior levels, and a detailed search of the surrounding forest terrain is underway to ensure no additional threats remain.

Earlier on Friday, two more Maoists were killed in a separate encounter in Bijapur district. The exchange of fire broke out around 5 am when a DRG team launched an anti-Naxal operation in a dense forest area based on specific intelligence inputs. Security forces recovered the bodies of two Maoists from the site, along with arms and ammunition.

Officials stated that intermittent firing was reported in the region even after the initial encounter, suggesting that more Maoist cadres could be hiding in the area. Additional forces have been deployed, and combing operations are ongoing to prevent any regrouping by insurgents.

Chhattisgarh has remained one of the most affected states by Left-Wing Extremism, particularly in the Bastar division, which includes Sukma and Bijapur. According to official data, a total of 285 Maoists were killed in encounters with security forces in the state last year alone. Of these, 257 were eliminated in the Bastar region, while the remaining were neutralised in other districts.

Security agencies say the recent encounters reflect sustained pressure on Maoist networks and their leadership. The recovery of sophisticated weapons also highlights the continuing threat posed by armed insurgents, even as security forces claim significant gains in disrupting their operational capabilities.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to continuing anti-Naxal operations while ensuring civilian safety and restoring long-term peace in the region.