Chhattisgarh Encounter: In a major breakthrough for security forces in the fight against Naxal insurgency, at least 16 Naxals were neutralized and two jawans sustained injuries in an intense encounter at the Sukma-Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh. The gunbattle erupted in the dense forests of Upampalli-Kerlapal area on Friday and continued into Saturday morning, as confirmed by Sukma Superintendent of Police, Kiran Chavan.
Operation Against Naxals
The joint operation was launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following specific intelligence inputs about Naxal presence in the region. The security forces began their search mission on March 28, and intermittent firing continued into March 29.
Bastar Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj P, stated that two jawans were injured but are now in stable condition after receiving medical attention. “Security forces are currently conducting intensive searches of the encounter site and surrounding forested areas to ensure complete elimination of the threat,” he added.
A Region Marred by Naxal Violence
Sukma remains one of the worst Naxal-affected districts in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, which has witnessed some of the deadliest attacks on security forces in recent years. A day before this encounter, a jawan was injured in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Narayanpur district.
Amit Shah’s Pledge to End Naxalism by 2026
Amid ongoing operations against Left-Wing Extremism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently assured Parliament that the menace of Naxalism would be completely eradicated by March 31, 2026. Presenting statistics, he highlighted a 53% drop in violent incidents in the last decade compared to the 2004-2014 period.
Key figures shared by the Home Minister include:
✅ 73% decline in security personnel deaths (from 1,851 in 2004-14 to 509 in 2014-24).
✅ 70% drop in civilian casualties (from 4,766 to 1,495).
✅ 11,503 km of highways constructed in Naxal-affected areas.
✅ 20,000 km of rural roads developed to improve connectivity.
✅ Installation of thousands of mobile towers for better communication in remote regions.
Amit Shah reaffirmed that by December 1, 2024, the entire Naxal-affected region will have mobile connectivity, ensuring better surveillance and security coordination.
The Road Ahead
With this high-profile encounter, security forces have dealt another significant blow to Naxal insurgents. However, the fight is far from over. Continuous operations, intelligence-driven missions, and improved infrastructure in affected areas remain key to achieving a Naxal-free India as envisioned by the government.
As the nation watches, the brave men and women in uniform continue their relentless pursuit to secure peace in the Red Corridor.
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