Raipur, Dec 3 (UNI) Three personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were killed and another injured on Wednesday during a major anti-Naxal operation along the Bijapur–Dantewada border in South Chhattisgarh.
The exchange of fire, which began around 9 a.m., has so far resulted in the recovery of twelve Maoist bodies from the encounter site, as security forces continued an aggressive push inside the Bastar Division
Bijapur Superintendent of Police Dr. Jitendra Yadav said teams from DRG Dantewada and Bijapur, along with STF, CRPF and CoBRA units, had launched a coordinated search operation early in the morning.
Intermittent firing continued for several hours as forces advanced through thick forest terrain. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P., confirmed the recovery of SLR rifles, .303 rifles and other arms and ammunition from the spot. The identities of the dead Maoist cadres are yet to be established.
The three personnel who lost their lives were identified as Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde and Constable Ramesh Sori, all from DRG Bijapur. Another jawan, Somdev Yadav, sustained injuries but is reported to be out of danger after receiving first aid. Arrangements for further medical treatment have been made.
Yadav said the area has been cordoned off and additional reinforcements have been deployed to support the ongoing operation.
“Search operations are continuing, and the force strength on the ground is adequate,” he noted. IG Sundarraj P. added that details would be released after the operation concludes, given that teams are still engaged in the field and combing is underway across a wide forest stretch.
Security observers note that the recent months have seen a clear tactical shift from perimeter patrolling to deeper, multi-district coordinated operations aimed at breaking the Maoist hold along traditional corridor routes.
The recovery of multiple weapons and the presence of mixed cadres point to attempts by rebel units to regroup under sustained pressure. With the new push along the Bijapur–Dantewada axis, senior officers believe the insurgency’s influence in one of its most fortified belts may face further erosion in the weeks ahead.
