"Fight against naxals at deciding step": Bastar IG Sundarraj

North Bastar Kanker (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 17 (ANI): A day after 29 Naxalites were killed in a major encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh, Bastar Inspector General of Police (IG) P Sundarraj said on Wednesday that 71 naxals have been gunned down till date since January, and the fight against naxals is at the "deciding step."
Addressing a press conference here, Sundarraj said yesterday's encounter in the Binagunda-Koragutta jungles of Kanker district was one of the major breakthroughs in Chhattisgarh on the naxal front.
"Yesterday, an encounter broke out between security forces and Naxalites at 2 pm which lasted for around 4 hours. Teams of DRG and BSF cordoned off the area and as a result, 29 bodies of CPI Maoists were recovered, out of which 15 were female. Arms and ammunition were recovered in large quantities from the spot," he said.
He further informed that as per the prima facie probe, two deceased naxals have been identified as Shankar and a woman cadre as Lalita.
"71 naxals have been gunned down to date since January 2024. This is one of the major breakthroughs in Chhattisgarh on the naxal front. The fight against naxals is at deciding step. Our endeavour in the future will be to carry forward what we have done against the Naxalites. Preparations have started to give a new identity to the area and its people," IG Sundarraja said.
and the District Reserve Guard (DRG)
He also informed that an inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF) and a jawan of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) suffered injuries in the encounter and they are out of danger.
"They are getting treatment at a health centre in Raipur. The autopsy of the bodies of the Maoists is underway," he said.
Stating that input was received about the presence of around 50 naxals, the Bastar IG said a search in the area is underway to nab the rest
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the DRG and BSF personnel for their successful operation after 29 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district on Tuesday and termed it a "big achievement."
"It is indeed a very big achievement. A joint party of DRG and BSF carried out this operation and encountered Naxalites in the Binagunda-Koragutta jungles of the Chhottebetiya Police Station area of Kanker District. 29 Naxalites have been reported dead. Three jawans have been injured during the encounter and they are being treated. I congratulate all jawans and security personnel involved in this historical encounter," CM Sai said. (ANI)