Kanker: In a recent incident in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, a female Naxalite was killed during a gun battle with security forces. The encounter took place near Binagunda village under the jurisdiction of Chhotebethiya police station. The operation was launched based on intelligence regarding the presence of Naxalite leaders and around 20 to 25 armed cadres from the Rajnandgaon-Kanker border division. The joint operation involved the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the 132nd battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF).
After the exchange of fire ended, the security personnel discovered the body of an unidentified female Naxalite wearing a uniform, along with a .303 rifle nearby. The area is currently being searched by the security forces. Inspector General of Police (Bastar range), Sundarraj P, provided details about the joint operation conducted by the DRG Kanker and the 132nd Battalion BSF in various areas across the Kotri River.
This incident follows a recent encounter between Naxals and security personnel in the Bijapur district, where the Central Reserve Police Force's jungle warfare unit, CoBRA, and the Chhattisgarh Special Task Force carried out a joint operation.
In another incident in Sukma district, at least four Naxalites were reportedly injured in an encounter with security personnel. However, their comrades managed to retreat into a forest hideout, according to officials. The encounter took place near Regadgatta village when a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) was conducting an anti-Naxal operation based on intelligence about the presence of Naxalite commander Mangdu and his team.
The Naxalites opened fire on the patrolling team, leading to a gun battle. After a brief exchange of fire, the Naxalites escaped into the dense forest. Three to four Naxalites were reportedly injured, but their comrades managed to take them deeper into the forest. Search operations are currently underway in the area.
In a separate incident in Kanker district, a woman Naxalite was seriously injured in a gun battle with security personnel, while two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans suffered minor injuries. The exchange of fire occurred during a search operation by joint security teams based on intelligence inputs about the presence of Naxalites. The injured Naxalite, identified as Fagni Podiyami, is an active member of the Local Organisation Squad (LOS) under the Rajnandgaon Kanker Border division of Maoists. She is the wife of Vinod Gavde, the Madanwada LOS commander, and carries a reward of Rs 1 lakh on her head.
During the operation, security personnel recovered weapons, explosives, and other materials from the spot. The injured Naxalite has been admitted to the Kanker district hospital, and reinforcement has been sent to the area for ongoing search operations.
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