3 Maoists killed in gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar: Police

During the search operation, Maoists opened fire on the police party, leading to a retaliatory action by the police

Three suspected Maoists were killed in a gunfight with joint security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district on Thursday, police said.

A joint team of DRG, STF and BSF had launched a search operation in the Abujhmad area. (Representative file photo)

The encounter is currently underway.

Superintendent of police (SP), Narayanpur, Prabhat Kumar said that a joint team of district reserve guard (DRG), special task force (STF), and Border Security Force (BSF) had launched a search operation in the Abujhmad area of Narayanpur district, following intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoist leaders.

“During the search operation, Maoists opened fire on the police party, leading to a retaliatory action by the police. After the firing stopped, police have found the bodies of three women cadres of Maoists. The police have also found Maoist literature and search operation of the area will continue,” said the SP.

According to Chhattisgarh police records, at least 34 civilians have been killed by Maoists in Bastar region this year, while 145 Maoists died in gunfight with security forces in anti- Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) operations in Chhattisgarh this year.