Security forces kill 19 Maoists in Chhattisgarh 'liberated zone'
Security forces entered the Maoist den in the “liberated zone” of Chhattisgarh, and engaged the ultras at two different places in dense jungles of unapproachable Dantewada.
In the firing, 19 suspected Maoists were killed.
Six jawans of Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF’s) commando unit, Cobra, which conducted the operation jointly with the state police, were also injured. The operation started at 7 pm. About 300 cops armed with latest weapons and location finders were pressed into action.
This is the second coordinated attempt by the security forces to launch operation on the Maoists in Chhattisgarh, first being Ambujmad. A CRPF officer said that the armed ultras have acquired an impression that security forces are reluctant to target them in their stronghold.
Working on a tip off that Maoists have got together at their training camp in Silger village near Basaguda, three separate joint teams were formed to launch a counter offensive on Thursday. One team left Basaguda in Bijapur district, the other moved from Chintalnar and the third from Jagarguda area to corner them from three different directions.
But, barely the first team had moved three kilometers from Basaguda, the commandos were intercepted by armed Maoists leading to a fierce encounter in the pitch dark night. Six Cobra commandos and three Maoists were injured in the gun fight and they were airlifted by a helicopter to Raipur for medical help. However, during the early morning combing operation, the forces came across 16 bodies which they claim is that of suspected Naxalites.
