Security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. Photo file for representation. | Photo credit: PTI
At least six Maoists were killed on Tuesday (Nov 11, 2025) in an operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, police said.
Arms and ammunition were recovered from the spot in the Bijapur National Park area and the operation was called off only at 7 pm, they said.
Around 10 am, an intermittent gunfight began between the Maoists and a joint team of the District Reserve Guard and the Special Task Force in the forest area.
During a search operation later in the day, bodies of six Maoists, automatic weapons (INSAS), Sten guns, .303 caliber rifles, other weapons and explosives were recovered, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav said.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P. Sundarraj said that since the operation was still ongoing, the location of the encounter, the number of security forces involved and other information could not be shared to ensure the safety of personnel on the ground. He added that additional teams of security forces have been deployed in the surrounding areas to surround more escaped Maoist cadres.
Describing the latest operation as a major success that will lead to the complete eradication of the Maoist insurgency, Mr. Sundarraj praised the bravery of the forces.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the forces and called the operation a “decisive step” towards fulfilling the commitment to eliminate Maoism from the state by March 31, 2026.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, a decision has been taken to eliminate Naxalism from the country and the state by March 31, 2026. This operation marks another decisive step towards fulfilling this commitment. The Government of Chhattisgarh is continuing this mission with full commitment and determination,” said a statement issued by the government.
In a separate encounter in Bijapur, an alleged Maoist was injured and captured alive, police said.
According to figures shared by the police, 259 Maoists have been shot dead in the state this year. Of these, 230 were killed in the Bastar region, which comprises seven districts including Bijapur. Of the remaining 29, 27 were killed in Gariaband district adjacent to Bastar.
In a related development, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma released videos of the mothers of two top Maoist commanders, Hidma and Barsa Deva, in which the two women can be heard appealing to their sons to lay down their arms and return home. The minister showed the videos to the media and reiterated the government’s appeal to the Maoists to surrender.
However, the Congress criticized the move and termed it as political propaganda.
Published – 11 Nov 2025 20:49 IST
