2 women among 7 Maoists killed in gunbattle with security forces in Chhattisgarh

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In Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Tuesday, an ongoing encounter between security forces and Maoists resulted in deaths of at least seven Maoists, including two female members, according to officials.

The encounter, which began around 6 am, involved a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) engaging with Maoists in a forest area between Tekmeta village and Kakur.

Officials reported that during the search of the encounter site, the bodies of seven Maoist cadres, including two females, were recovered. Identification of the deceased Maoists is currently underway.

Additionally, a significant quantity of weapons, including an AK 47, along with other items of daily use, were seized from the Maoist camp.

This incident follows a recent gunfight earlier this month in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, where security forces eliminated 29 Maoists, including a senior rebel leader with a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on him. This marked the highest number of Maoist fatalities in a single encounter in Chhattisgarh’s anti-Maoist operations history.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at an election rally in Kanker town on April 22, issued a stern warning to Maoists in Chhattisgarh, urging them to surrender or face eradication.

He highlighted the success of recent operations, citing the killing of 90 Maoists, the arrest of 123, and the surrender of 250 others over the last four months. Shah emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government is committed to eliminating the Maoist threat from Chhattisgarh within two years.

The government’s stance underscores its determination to address the issue of Left Wing Extremism in the region and restore peace and development, enabling tribal communities to access essential services like electricity, education, ration shops, and healthcare.