In a major operation in Chhattisgarh, security forces gunned down at least 10 Maoists in an encounter in Gariaband district on Thursday. CC member Manoj, alias Modem Balkrishna, was among the Maoists killed.
It is learnt that the gunfight broke out in the forest under Mainpur police station limits when security personnel were out on an anti-Naxalite operation, news agency PTI reported.
The operation was a joint effort by Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action – an elite unit of CRPF) and other state police units, PTI reported, citing Amresh Mishra, Raipur Range Inspector General of Police.
The encounter was underway at the time of filing this report.
“Personnel belonging to Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action – an elite unit of CRPF) and other state police units are involved in the operation. Intermittent exchange of fire is still underway. As per the inputs received from the ground, at least eight Naxalites have been gunned down,” PTI quoted the IGP as saying.
The operation is part of the ongoing campaign to eliminate Maoists in Gariyaband district.
Earlier in the day, 16 Maoists surrendered in Narayanpur district, citing disappointment with the “hollow” Maoist ideology, atrocities committed against innocent tribals, and growing internal rifts within the banned outfit, according to Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria, NDTV reported.
All those who surrendered were lower-rung cadres affiliated with various Maoist units, including the Janatana Sarkar, Chetna Natya Mandli, and the panchayat militia. While their ranks were not high in the Maoist hierarchy, they played a significant role in sustaining the insurgency, the officer added.
Over the past few months, security forces have launched several operations targeting Maoists. Notably, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set March 31, 2026, as the deadline to end left-wing terrorism.
