Image for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: PTI
A Maoist was gunned down with a reward of ₹ 5 lakh in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh late on Wednesday evening (March 4, 2026).
Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said the Maoist was identified as Rajesh Punem, a resident of Burji village under Gangaloor police station limits in Bijapur district.
The gunfight took place in the forested hills on Wednesday evening when a joint team of the District Reserve Guards and Bastar Fighters, both units of the state police, were going out on an anti-Maoist operation.
The operation was launched after police received information that Maoists were storing weapons and other materials in the forested hilly region between Gumalnar, Girsapara and Nelgoda villages in Geedam area, bordering Bijapur district.
“At 12:30 PM, the police went to the suspected dump site and moved forward after intensive search and cordoning off the forests and hilly areas. Around 8:30-9:00 PM, 8-10 armed Maoists from the Bhairamgarh Area Committee, who were already lying in wait, “indiscriminately fired automatic weapons with lethal intent at the police with lethal weapons.” said Mr. Rai.
The officer added that the police immediately took cover and warned the Maoists to surrender, but they continued firing. After the gunfight stopped and a search was conducted, a body was found and later identified as Punem, a member of the Bhairamgarh Area Committee.
Weapons such as a self-loading rifle, an INSAS rifle, a pistol with a magazine and cartridges, empty cartridges and a walkie-talkie were found, Mr. Rai said.
Published – 05 March 2026 22:06 IST
