Three members of a Maoist cadre, including a woman, were neutralized in an armed confrontation with security personnel in the insurgency-affected Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Operation Based on Intelligence Inputs
The gunfight erupted when a specialized team from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was conducting a targeted search operation in the region. Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan informed news agency PTI that the team was acting on precise inputs regarding the presence of armed Maoist cadres in the area. The security forces engaged the Naxalites after being met with fire, leading to the fatal encounter.
Details of the Encounter
While specific identities of the deceased are yet to be fully ascertained, authorities confirmed that one of the three slain Naxalites was a woman. The exchange of fire marks another significant incident in the ongoing efforts by security forces to curb left-wing extremism in the Bastar region. The area has been cordoned off for further search and investigation to ensure no threats remain.
Ongoing Security Efforts
This encounter underscores the persistent security challenges in parts of Chhattisgarh and the continued operations by state forces. The District Reserve Guard, a locally raised force, has been instrumental in several such operations due to its knowledge of the terrain. The incident is expected to lead to heightened vigilance in neighboring districts as well, as security personnel work to dismantle the network of extremist groups in the region.
