29 Maoists Killed In Massive Forest Op in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: In Chhattisgarh’s biggest anti-Maoist operation, 29 rebels were shot dead by the security forces on Tuesday.

The slain Maoists included a senior leader, Shankar Rao, who had a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head.

The exchange of fire took place at around 2 pm in the Hapatola forest near Binagunda village in Kanker district during a joint operation by the personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Chhattisgarh state police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG). Three security personnel were injured during the operation- two from the BSF and one from the DRG.

On Tuesday evening, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, “I congratulate everyone involved in the operation and salute their courage. Maoists don’t believe in democracy and it is possible that they were looking to influence the elections. The place where the gunfight took place is near both the Bastar and Kanker Lok Sabha constituencies, and Bastar will vote in the first phase on Friday… They were attempting to carry out a big incident and their plans have been foiled by the security forces.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also lauded this major anti-Maoist operation and said Maoist activity will end in Bastar region soon.