In a significant counter-insurgency operation, security forces in Chhattisgarh have eliminated 18 Maoist guerrillas in the dense forests of the Bastar region. The fierce gunfight, which also claimed the lives of three security personnel, is being hailed as a major setback for the outlawed outfit.
Recovery of Bodies Confirms Heavy Maoist Casualties
The full scale of the operation became clear on Thursday when security personnel retrieved six more bodies from the encounter site along the Dantewada-Bijapur border. This brought the total Maoist death toll to 18. Among the deceased was a high-value target: Vella Modiyam, also known as Mangu Modiyam, a senior commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).
Authorities confirmed that nine of the slain guerrillas were women. Collectively, the eliminated Maoists carried bounties totalling Rs 1.3 crore on their heads, indicating their seniority and involvement in numerous crimes.
A Decisive Blow to the Maoist Citadel
Bastar's Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj, stated that the operation dealt a decisive blow to the Maoist stronghold in the Gangaloor area. He detailed the crimes of the killed commander, noting that Vella Modiyam was the operational and intelligence chief for the region. "He was involved in multiple heinous crimes, including the killings of a minor, a student, and a villager in Peddakorma," the IGP said.
The police assert that the success of this operation has significantly weakened the Maoist infrastructure in one of their key zones of influence.
Political Leadership Hails Bravery, Signals End of Naxalism
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the courage and dedication of the security forces involved. He paid tribute to the three personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice, asserting that their bravery "won't go in vain."
Echoing the sentiment of a turning tide, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma made a strong statement on the state of the left-wing extremist movement. He declared that Naxalism in Chhattisgarh is now on its "last legs," with security forces currently conducting extensive mop-up operations across the vast Bastar region to consolidate their gains.
The operation underscores the continued intensity of anti-Maoist operations in India's central tribal belt and marks one of the most significant engagements in recent months.
