Raipur: At least 10 Maoists have been killed in an encounter with the security forces in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh on Thursday. Among the deceased
is the CCM and top Maoist leader, Modem Balakrishna.
Raipur Range Inspector General of Police Amresh Mishra told ANI, “A few naxals are likely dead. Encounter is underway between security forces and Maoists in Gariaband with intermittent exchange of firing.”
The security personnel belonging to Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action – an elite unit of CRPF) and other state police units were out on an anti-Maoist operation since Thursday morning. The exchange of fire, which is still continuing, started in the Mainpur police station limits.
Among the 10 Maoists killed was the CCM leader and member of Bhaskar Naxals, Manoj alias Modem Balkrishna, carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore. According to reports, Balkrishna was 58 years old and had been active for 35 years. He was a resident of Telangana and had been searched by the police for a long time. Reports suggest that he was planning to flee to Orrisha through Gariaband.
A day ago, on Wednesday evening, 16 Maoists from different cadres surrendered before the senior police officers. The incident comes after a recent announcement by Home Minister Amit Shah about eliminating left-wing extremism by March 2026.