Maoist Encounter in Chhattisgarh Claims One Central Reserve Police Force Jawan

Strategic Insights -

Maoists have long been a thorn in the side of the Indian government, with their presence in several states, including Chhattisgarh. The latest encounter between the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoists) and the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district has resulted in the death of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, who was part of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). A Maoist was also killed in the encounter. This comes at a time when the state is making a massive anti-insurgency push to meet the March 26 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to root out Left-Wing Extremism.

Key Takeaways:

  • A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in an encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.
  • The encounter took place on the border of Bijapur and Sukma, after security forces received intelligence reports on the presence of Maoists in the area.
  • A joint operation was undertaken by Sukma District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and the CRPF's elite force CoBRA battalion 210.
  • The operation comes at a time when the state is making a massive anti-insurgency push to meet the March 26 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to root out Left-Wing Extremism.
  • The encounter is significant, as it comes a day after 27 Maoists were killed in a major encounter in the state's Abujhmad.
  • The Abujhmad operation also resulted in the death of Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basava Raju, the 70-year-old chief of CPI (Maoist).
  • This is the third jawan to have lost his life in Naxal violence in the state in the last two days, taking the total toll of jawans killed this year to 17.
  • Another CoBRA jawan who was injured in Thursday's encounter is currently being evacuated using a chopper.
  • The latest development takes the total number of Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh to 201, of which 184 were in Bastar region alone.

Statistics:

  • 1 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in the encounter with Maoists.
  • 1 Maoist was killed in the encounter.
  • 17 CRPF jawans have been killed in Naxal violence in Chhattisgarh this year.
  • 27 Maoists were killed in a major encounter in the state's Abujhmad a day before the latest encounter.
  • 201 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh this year, of which 184 were in Bastar region alone.
  • 2 DRG jawans were killed in separate Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts during the Abujhmad operation.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com