Bijapur blaze: 18 maoists fall in massive 12-hour jungle clash

Security forces have recovered the bodies of at least 18 Maoists following a prolonged gun battle during an anti-Naxal operation along the Bijapur–Dantewada border in the Bastar region, officials said on Thursday. The encounter, which began on Wednesday morning, continued for nearly 12 hours and also claimed the lives of three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel.

Bastar Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj said the bodies were found during a search operation launched after the exchange of fire ceased. Among those killed were key Maoist leaders, including Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and PLGA Company No. 2 Commander Billa Moudiyami, along with another company commander. Identification of the remaining Maoists is underway.

“In the search operation after the encounter, the dead bodies of around 18 Maoists were recovered. The combing operation is still ongoing. DVCM and PLGA Company 2 Commander Billa Moudiyami and another company commander have been killed. A significant number of weapons, including an LMG, SLR, AK-47, .303 rifles, and other graded weapons, have been recovered,” IG Sundarraj said.

The encounter broke out after a joint team of DRG Bijapur, DRG Dantewada, STF, CoBRA and CRPF launched an operation based on specific intelligence inputs about Maoist presence in the forested border region. According to officials, the gun battle began around 9 am and continued till late evening as both sides exchanged heavy fire.

Two DRG jawans, including Somdev Yadav, sustained injuries during the operation. Both are out of danger and undergoing treatment in Raipur. “In this clash, two of our jawans were also injured. They are stable and receiving medical care,” Sundarraj added.

The official emphasised that security forces were intensifying operations in the Bastar division in line with directives from the Government of India and the Chhattisgarh government, as well as the expectations of local residents affected by Naxal violence.

Meanwhile, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Bijapur police line to honour the three DRG personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde and jawan Ramesh Sodhi. Senior officers, colleagues and district officials paid their final respects to the fallen personnel, acknowledging their sacrifice in one of the most challenging anti-Naxal theatres in the country.

Security forces continue to comb the dense forest area to ensure no Maoist cadres remain hidden and to recover any additional evidence or weapons from the encounter site.