Bastar: At least 12 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of the National Park area in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, officials said on Sunday. According to Bastar police officials, the encounter broke out in the forests on Sunday morning.
"12 Naxalites were killed in the encounter in the National Park area of Bijapur district," they said.
"Two jawans lost their lives, while two others were injured in the gunfight. A search operation is ongoing in the area," they added. Further details are awaited.
Jawans belonged to DRG, STF
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The jawans killed in the encounter were from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) – state-level forces that specialise in anti-Maoist operations, confirmed Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P.
“Two other jawans have suffered injuries and a helicopter is taking off to evacuate them to Raipur for treatment,” an official said.
Earlier on Sunday morning, the police said in a statement, “On Sunday, intermittent firing took place, and the firing is going on. There is a possibility that some Naxals have died in the firing. Our search operations are on.”
Second encounter
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This is the second encounter this year at Indravati National Park, where three Maoists were gunned down on January 12.
The National Park area, adjoining Abujhmad, is believed to be a safe haven for Maoists. Spread across 2,799.08 square kilometres, the park shares its border with Maharashtra and was declared a tiger reserve in 1983.
So far this year, 62 Maoists have been killed in encounters, and 11 jawans also lost their lives fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. At least nine civilians, including five from Bijapur, have been killed by Maoists this year.
