RAIPUR: Security forces found three more bodies of Maoists from Tuesday’s shootout site in Gangaloor area of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh‘s Bastar belt, bringing the death toll of insurgents to 13. No security personnel were wounded, officials said Wednesday. The gunfight began at 6am and lasted 14 hours. Bastar range IG P Sundarraj confirmed that three women were among the 13 Maoists killed.”The dead are being identified. It appears they were from PLGA Company No 2. Search operations are ongoing,” he said. A cache of weapons, including a light machine gun (LMG), several firearms, and a large number of grenade launchers and shells, was found at the spot, according to police.
“The operation (in Bijapur) was launched based on information about the presence of senior Maoists, like Papa Rao, from the western Bastar division committee,” Sundarraj said.
Deputy CM and home minister Vijay Sharma commended the security forces for their operation and reiterated govt’s readiness for discussions with the Maoists. “We want to move towards a peaceful solution,” he said. According to a security official, 50 Maoists have been shot dead since BJP formed govt in Chhattisgarh under CM Vishnu Deo Sai last Dec.
Sundarraj said Maoists had established strongholds along the borders of Dantewada and Sukma districts, but intensified security operations have resulted in 46 Maoist casualties in the past three months alone. With the establishment of new security camps in their core zones, Maoists have been pushed to the brink in western and southern Bastar, weakening their support base.
“The operation (in Bijapur) was launched based on information about the presence of senior Maoists, like Papa Rao, from the western Bastar division committee,” Sundarraj said.
Deputy CM and home minister Vijay Sharma commended the security forces for their operation and reiterated govt’s readiness for discussions with the Maoists. “We want to move towards a peaceful solution,” he said. According to a security official, 50 Maoists have been shot dead since BJP formed govt in Chhattisgarh under CM Vishnu Deo Sai last Dec.
Sundarraj said Maoists had established strongholds along the borders of Dantewada and Sukma districts, but intensified security operations have resulted in 46 Maoist casualties in the past three months alone. With the establishment of new security camps in their core zones, Maoists have been pushed to the brink in western and southern Bastar, weakening their support base.