Following a significant encounter between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, the aftermath at the encounter site paints a somber picture. A total of 29 Maoists were killed, while three security personnel sustained injuries during the gunbattle.
As silence pervades the hillocks surrounding Hidur and Kalpar villages, bullet marks on trees and bloodstains on the ground serve as stark reminders of the intense clash. Fallen bamboo leaves the carpet area, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Local villagers, mostly women, are hesitant to discuss the events of the encounter, preferring to remain tight-lipped about what they witnessed or heard. Lingaram, a resident of Akameta village, revealed that his cousin Sukku, an active Maoist, was among those killed in the confrontation. Despite efforts by family members to persuade him to leave the Maoist movement, Sukku remained steadfast in his allegiance.
The route to the encounter site, riddled with dirt roads and forest paths, bears signs of the recent violence. Maoist posters urging locals to boycott elections and crude memorials for the deceased insurgents serve as haunting reminders of the conflict. The area, a stronghold of the North Bastar Division Committee of Maoists, is located over 15 kilometers from Bechaghat.
Eyewitnesses like Aaytu recall hearing gunshots from the nearby hill on the day of the encounter, though details remain scarce. Upon closer inspection of the hill, signs of the battle become apparent, with bloodstains, bullet marks, and discarded items strewn amidst the bamboo vegetation.
The encounter, which began around 12:30 PM on Tuesday, lasted for approximately four hours, resulting in the recovery of 29 Maoist bodies, including 15 women. Three security personnel were injured in the fierce exchange of gunfire.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma lauded the operation as a “surgical strike” and a significant success, attributing the victory to the courageous actions of the security forces.
The encounter marks the highest single-day casualty toll for Maoists in the history of Chhattisgarh’s anti-insurgency efforts, with a total of 79 Maoists killed in the Bastar region since the beginning of 2024.
For more updates follow our Whatsapp 
and Telegram Channel 
