A Maoist was killed in an ongoing exchange of fire with security forces in a forest area of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Thursday, taking the number of left-wing insurgents killed in the state to 23 this year.
The police said that the gunfight started around 7:30 am. (HT Photo/Rep)The police said that the gunfight started around 7:30 am. The body of the slain Maoist and an AK-47 rifle were recovered, but sporadic firing was reported from the spot. An official said, details will be given after the operation is over.
People aware of the matter have identified the slain Maoist as Maoist Divisional Committee member Udham Singh, though his identity has not been officially confirmed.
On January 3, 14 Maoists were gunned down in two separate operations in Bastar region, including Bijapur. Last year, 285 Maoists were killed across the state.
A fresh anti-Maoist operation began in Bijapur on Thursday as the central government’s March 31 deadline to end the left-wing insurgency approached. Hundreds of Maoists have been killed or surrendered as the banned outfit faced leadership beheadings.
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The killing of Maoist chief Nambala Keshwa Rao, alias Basavaraju, in May last year marked the most significant breakthrough in years against the left-wing insurgency.
