Three Maoists Killed in Encounter in Abhujmad; Top Maoist Leader Identified

 

In a major breakthrough in the fight against Naxalism, three Maoists, including two high-ranking terrorists, were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in the Abhujmad region of Narayanpur district.

 

The joint operation was launched by the local police, DRG, and paramilitary forces following intelligence about Maoist presence in the area.

 

The encounter, which began on 23rd September at around 4 PM, resulted in multiple exchanges of fire between the Maoists and the security forces.

 

By the end of the operation, three bodies were recovered, including two male Maoists and one female.

 

The identities of two deceased Maoists have been confirmed as Rupesh and Jagdish, both top Maoist leaders, while the identity of the female Maoist is yet to be established.

 

Superintendent of Police Narayanpur, Prabhat Kumar, confirmed that the operation resulted in the recovery of significant weaponry, including one AK-47, one INSAS rifle, one SLR, and a 12-bore gun.

 

In addition, a large cache of explosives and other daily-use items were found at the site. The search operation is still underway, and further details will be shared after its conclusion.

 

Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, highlighted that one of the slain Maoists, Rupesh, was a high-ranking commander in the DKZSC (Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee), responsible for overseeing operations in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district.

 

Rupesh, who commanded Company No. 10 in the region, had a bounty of ₹25 lakh on his head. The second Maoist, Jagdish, hailed from Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh and was a DVCM (Divisional Committee Member) rank Maoist, with a ₹16 lakh reward.

 

DIG Kanker, K.L. Dhruv, who oversaw the operation, stated that the forces engaged in multiple skirmishes before overpowering the Maoists.

 

This success is part of an ongoing anti-Naxal operation in the Bastar division, where, according to IGP Sundarraj, security forces have eliminated 157 Maoists, arrested 663, and secured the surrender of 656 Maoists in 2024 alone.