Two Women among maoists killed in Sukma

In a significant setback to the Maoist network in south Chhattisgarh, three Naxalites together carrying a reward of ₹15 lakh were gunned down during an intense encounter with security forces in Sukma district on Sunday. The operation marks yet another major breakthrough for anti-Naxal units in the Bastar region, where the police say the insurgency is now in its “final stage.”

The encounter unfolded early in the morning in the forested hills of Tumalpad village, located on the border of Bhejji and Chintagufa police station limits. A District Reserve Guard (DRG) team, acting on specific intelligence inputs about Maoist movement in the area, launched a search operation. Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said the exchange of fire began soon after the team reached the location.

The gun battle continued intermittently for a considerable period. When the firing stopped, the bodies of three Maoists, two of them women, were recovered from the spot. Security personnel also seized a .303 rifle, Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGLs), and various other weapons and explosives from the encounter site.

The deceased Naxalites were identified as Madvi Deva, an area committee member; Podiam Gangi, commander of the Maoist cultural wing Chetna Natya Mandli (CNM); and Sodhi Gangi, an area committee member from Kistaram. Each carried a reward of ₹5 lakh. Police described Deva as a sniper specialist and a “notorious operative” linked to several civilian killings in the Konta area.

Search operations were continuing in the surrounding forests as security teams combed the region to track any remaining cadres.

Bastar Range Inspector General of Police Sundarraj Pattilingam said the latest action reflects the diminishing influence of Maoists in the region. “Naxalism is in its final stage in Bastar. The remaining cadres must give up violence and join the government’s rehabilitation programme,” he said.

According to official figures, 262 Naxalites have been killed in encounters across Chhattisgarh so far this year. Of these, 233 were neutralised in the Bastar division alone, seven of whose districts including Sukma remain key theatres of Maoist activity. Twenty-seven others were killed in Gariaband district of Raipur division, while two were eliminated in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki of Durg division.

The state has also witnessed a sharp rise in surrenders. Nearly 300 Naxalites gave up arms last month in Chhattisgarh, while senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi and 60 others surrendered in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli.

The Union government has reiterated its commitment to eradicate Naxalism nationwide by March 2026.