Major Naxal attack in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, 3 Maoists killed in encounter; one C-60 commando martyred

Gadchiroli (The Uttam Hindu): A major encounter took place on Tuesday in the Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, where security forces achieved a significant success against Maoists. In the fierce gun battle near the Chhattisgarh border, police forces neutralised three hardcore Maoists. However, the operation also witnessed a tragic loss, as one brave commando of the Maharashtra Police’s elite anti-Naxal unit C-60 laid down his life in the line of duty. Another commando was injured in the exchange of fire.

Input received about presence of Company Number 10

According to police sources, intelligence inputs suggested that remnants of the Maoists’ ‘Company Number 10’ along with an unidentified armed squad from Chhattisgarh were hiding in the forest area near Phodewada village, close to the Narayanpur–Gadchiroli border. Acting on this information, a C-60 commando team led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Bhamragad launched a cordon-and-search operation in the region. Dense forests and the sensitive border terrain made the operation highly challenging.

Maoists opened fire under cover of darkness

While the security forces were carrying out the search operation, the Maoists, taking advantage of the darkness, suddenly opened indiscriminate fire on the police team. The C-60 commandos immediately took defensive positions and retaliated with controlled fire. The encounter continued for several hours late into the night, during which three Maoists were killed on the spot. The bodies of the slain Maoists have been recovered, and efforts are underway to establish their identities.

One commando martyred, injured jawan hospitalised

During the intense exchange of gunfire, the C-60 unit suffered casualties. Displaying exceptional courage, one commando was martyred while confronting the Maoists. Another commando sustained gunshot injuries and has been safely evacuated and admitted to hospital for treatment. Following the encounter, security forces have intensified search operations in the area amid fears that some Maoists may have managed to escape under the cover of darkness.