Fierce Encounter in Chhattisgarh: Four Maoists and One Jawan Killed

In a significant counterinsurgency operation, four Maoists, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Abujhmad region of Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday. A head constable of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Sonu Koram, also lost his life in the fierce gunfight. The operation marks the first major clash between Maoists and security forces in Abujhmad this year, a 4,000 sq. km. un-surveyed terrain spanning Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

The encounter occurred in the Maoist stronghold near the Narayanpur-Dantewada border. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of DRG and Special Task Force (STF) personnel from four districts—Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bastar, and Kondagaon—launched a search operation on Friday. The forces confronted the Maoists on Saturday evening, resulting in intermittent clashes until Sunday evening.

Four bodies of Maoists, along with automatic weapons such as AK-47s and SLRs, were recovered from the encounter site. Officials suspect the deceased could include senior Maoist leaders, although their identities are yet to be confirmed. Over 1,000 security personnel participated in the operation, highlighting its scale and intensity.

The fallen jawan, Sonu Koram, was a former Naxal who had surrendered and joined the DRG to combat insurgency. His sacrifice was honored by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating Maoism from Bastar.

This operation adds to the tally of 221 Maoists neutralized in Bastar over the past year, signaling a major blow to insurgent activities in the region. Search operations are ongoing to uncover further evidence and ensure the area’s security.