A Large-Scale Security Operation That Killed 13 Maoists Before The Lok Sabha Elections

Bhopal: In a significant operation conducted by security forces before of the Chhattisgarh Lok Sabha polls, at least 13 Maoists were slain. According to police, the gunfight happened on Tuesday in the Bijapur district in a secluded jungle. After around eight hours of gunfire, the region was left tense and scarred by the aftermath of conflict.
P Sundarraj, Inspector General of Police, reported that cops had found a sizable stash of ammunition, machine guns, and rifles.

"It is not yet clear who the dead Maoist bodies belong to," Mr. Sundarraj stated, noting that three of the victims were female.

According to another police official, the rebels appear to have slain

"The identity of the dead Naxalites was yet to be ascertained but prima facie, it appears that they belonged to the PLGA (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army) company no. 2 of Maoists," added the official.

The operation was an organised attempt to remove the threat that the Maoists posed in the region, and it was led by the Bijapur District Reserve Guard in coordination with the CRPF, STF, and CoBRA troops. The security forces had initiated the raid because intelligence had pointed to the location of Papa Rao, the renowned Maoist commander.

Security personnel found a sizable stockpile of weapons and ammunition during their examination of the encounter site. This included an LMG, a.303 bore rifle, a 12 bore rifle, and a large number of BGL rounds and launchers.

The Bastar Lok Sabha seat, which includes the Bijapur district, will hold elections in the first round of the general elections on April 19.