"Search operation is still on": Bastar IG Sundarraj P on Sukma encounter

Bastar (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 29 (ANI): 16 naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forest of Upampalli Kerlapal area at the Sukma-Dantewada Border on Saturday whereas two jawans sustained injuries.
Bastar IG Sundarraj P confirmed the development on Saturday. Speaking to ANI, Sundarraj P stated that the forces have recovered a total of 16 bodies, and a huge cache of automatic weapons has been recovered during the operations, which are still underway.
He added that the operation is still on and there is a possibility of other naxallites being killed or injured. He said that more details will be shared once the identification process of the naxallites are done.
"We have recovered 16 bodies of Naxalites and a huge cache of automatic weapons. A search operation is still on. 2 jawans have also sustained injuries, but they are out of danger now. There is the possibility of other Naxalites being killed or injured... More details will be shared once we are done with the identification process of slain Naxalites.", Sundarraj P said to ANI on Saturday.
The exchange of fire began following a joint anti-Naxal operation launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday.
According to officials, the operation was initiated based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of Naxals in the Kerlapal area under Sukma police station limits.
The joint team moved out for the search mission on March 28, and intermittent firing has continued since early morning on Saturday (March 29).
Security forces are currently conducting an intensive search of the encounter site and surrounding forested terrain.
Sukma is one of the worst-affected districts in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, which has seen several Naxal attacks in the past.
Earlier on Friday, a jawan was injured and hospitalised after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Naxalites went off in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.
After initial treatment, Bastar IG said that the condition of the injured soldier became stable. (ANI)