In a violent attack on Monday, Naxalites blew up a vehicle carrying security personnel in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, using an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion occurred on the Bedre-Kutru Road, and authorities have expressed concerns over potential casualties.
This attack coincides with the rise in the death toll of Naxals involved in a recent encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. On the same day, the death toll from the gunfight, which began on Saturday, increased to five after the recovery of one more body during an ongoing operation.
The gunbattle took place on Saturday evening in the forests of south Abujhmaad, near the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts, as a joint security team launched an anti-Naxalite operation. Initially, four Naxalites were confirmed dead on Sunday, with one additional body found later. The deceased included two women among the Naxalites. The operation, which involves personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF), is still ongoing.
Sadly, the gunfight also resulted in the death of DRG head constable Sannu Karam. The clash is part of an intensified campaign to combat Naxal activity in the region.
Additionally, a Naxalite was killed in a separate encounter in Gariaband district on January 3, and last year, 219 Naxals were killed in encounters across the state.
Authorities continue their search operations in both Bijapur and Bastar regions, as the security forces remain engaged in efforts to curb Naxal violence in Chhattisgarh.
