Seven Maoists, including two women killed in Chhattisgarh's Bastar encounter

In a significant development, seven Maoists, including two women cadres, were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district. The encounter took place in the dense jungles of Abujhmad, located on the volatile Narayanpur-Kanker border, where personnel from the Directorate General of Reserve Police (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) engaged in a gun battle with suspected Maoists.

According to Sunderaj P, Inspector General of Police, Bastar range, the confrontation erupted around 6 am between Tekmeta and Kaakur villages in Abhujmad forest on Tuesday morning. The security forces were conducting an anti-Naxal operation based on specific intelligence about the presence of senior Maoists in the area.

Following the intense exchange of fire, the bodies of seven Maoists, including two women, were discovered at the encounter site. Alongside the casualties, security forces also seized an AK-47 rifle and a cache of other weapons and explosives from the spot.

The identity of the deceased Maoists is yet to be confirmed as security personnel continue their search operation in the region. This incident marks the latest in a series of encounters between security forces and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, with 88 Naxalites killed so far this year.