Bijapur clash: 5 Naxalites dead, DRG soldier martyred in Chhattisgarh encounter

Bijapur/Raipur (The Uttam Hindu): Security forces have achieved a major success in their operation against Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. On Wednesday, in a fierce encounter in the forests of West Bastar Division, soldiers killed five Naxalites. However, during this operation, a District Reserve Guard (DRG) soldier was martyred while protecting the motherland, while another soldier is reported to be injured.

According to police officials, security forces received intelligence about suspected Maoist activity in the forests of West Bastar. Based on the information, a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and the CRPF's elite Cobra Battalion (CoBRA) was dispatched for a search operation.

As soon as the team of soldiers reached the dense forest, the Naxalites, who were lying in ambush, opened indiscriminate fire. The security forces immediately took charge and retaliated. The exchange of fire continued for a long time.

After the firing stopped, the bodies of five Naxalites were recovered from the area during a search. The soldier injured in the encounter has been sent to the hospital for treatment. Officials said the operation is not yet fully over and searches are continuing in the area.

268 Naxalites killed so far this year

Security forces are continuing their 'attack' against Naxalites in Chhattisgarh. According to the data, 268 Naxalites have been killed in different encounters in the state so far this year. Out of these, maximum 239 Naxalites have been killed in Bastar division alone (which includes 7 districts including Bijapur and Dantewada). 27 Naxalites have been killed in Gariaband district of Raipur division. 2 Maoists have been eliminated in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district of Durg division.