A fierce gun battle on the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Maoists and three District Reserve Guard personnel. This significant loss for the outlawed group occurred as security forces intensified operations in the region. Weapons were recovered, and the search for more insurgents continues. File photo RAIPUR: A daylong gunfight on the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region left at least 12 Maoists and three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel dead Wednesday, marking one of the year’s heaviest losses for the outlawed group as security forces pressed deeper into the insurgency’s crumbling stronghold,Another DRG constable was wounded but was said to be out of danger. The clash erupted around 9am in the forests of Gangaloor near Dantewada and intermittent firing continued through the day across West Bastar division during a joint operation involving DRG teams from Dantewada and Bijapur, STF, and CoBRA units of CRPF.268 Maoists died in security actions across Chhattisgarh With Wednesday’s killings, the number of Maoists shot dead in security actions across Chhattisgarh this year rose to 268 — 239 in Bastar alone, 27 in Gariyaband under Raipur division, and two in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki in Du-rg. Union home minister Amit Shah has set a March 2026 de-adline for eliminating the M-aoist insurgency nationwide.Bastar range IG P Sundarraj said 12 bodies were retrieved from the site. “Weapons like SLR rifles, .303 rifles and other arms and ammunition have been found,” he said.DRG lost head constable Monu Vadadi and constables Dukaru Gonde and Ramesh Sori, while their wounded colleague Somdev Yadav has been admitted to hospital.Security forces continued combing the dense jungles along the Dantewada-Bijapur axis, where Maoist formations have long attempted to regroup. “Since the operation is still in progress, detailed information cannot be shared. Further details, including the identity and rank of the slain Maoists, will be confirmed after search and clearance,” Sundarraj said.Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav described the operation as a “decisive and aggressive action” and said the area had been fully cordoned off.Reinforcements were deployed to sweep for more Maoist insurgents. The shootout comes less than three weeks after security forces killed top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma on Nov 18 in the forests of Maredumilli on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Prade-sh border. Hidma — one of the most wanted Maoist guerrillas accused of executing more than 26 major attacks over two decades — was killed along with his wife Rajje alias Rajakka and four others.About the AuthorRashmi DroliaRashmi is a Special Correspondent with The Times of India in Chhattisgarh. She covers Politics, Left Wing Extremism, Crime and Human Rights among other areas of news value.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Derogatory” BJP Hits Out at Revanth Reddy Over Remarks On Hindu DeitiesOver 70 IndiGo Flights Cancelled Across India as Crew Shortage Triggers Massive Disruption“India’s Diplomacy Has Spine”: Tharoor Praises India’s Assertive Foreign Policy On RussiaRahul–Priyanka Candid Chat Goes Viral As Camera Catches Fun Banter’We Have A Diplomatic Allergy’: Shashi Tharoor Warns India Still Lacks A National Security StrategySanchar Saathi App Row In LS: Cong Flags Privacy Fears, Scindia Says ‘Snooping Not Possible’Rupee Slides To Record Low Of 90 Per Dollar As Trade Uncertainty, Dollar Demand And Oil Costs Spike’Leader Is Bulldozing’: Kharge, Nadda Lock Horns Over TMC MP’s Speech In Rajya SabhaIndia’s Workforce Power Will Keep Growing, Jaishankar Says, As He Takes Down Anti H-1B NarrativesKTR Slams Congress, Says Rahul Gandhi Has No Vision And Is An Albatross Around Opposition’s Neck123PhotostoriesThought of the day for your kid: “Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from what you can do.”Mammootty, Malayalam cinema and Bheeshma Parvam; Iconic roles ranked from cult classics to crowd favouritesProsenjit Chatterjee rising in Bollywood with intense and unforgettable characters10 best foods to boost muscle growth and strengthSay these 5 nighttime affirmations and watch your life transform in just days5 brutally honest lessons to take from Virat Kohli on how to crush successMalaika Arora’s yoga secrets: 5 beginner-friendly poses for body & mindHow Bhagavad Gita can heal unknown childhood trauma and unlock blockages for success in lifeInside Earth’s forbidden zones:5 deadly and mysterious places where entry is banned8 reasons to have a bowl of pomegranate daily for breakfast123Hot PicksParliament Winter SessionPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingNBA Trade RumorsMike TysonWendy OrtizCardi BAuston MatthewsStephen CurryNathan MacKinnonJayden DanielsSuper Bowl LX Halftime ShowMolly Qerim
RAIPUR: A daylong gunfight on the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region left at least 12 Maoists and three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel dead Wednesday, marking one of the year’s heaviest losses for the outlawed group as security forces pressed deeper into the insurgency’s crumbling stronghold,Another DRG constable was wounded but was said to be out of danger. The clash erupted around 9am in the forests of Gangaloor near Dantewada and intermittent firing continued through the day across West Bastar division during a joint operation involving DRG teams from Dantewada and Bijapur, STF, and CoBRA units of CRPF.268 Maoists died in security actions across Chhattisgarh With Wednesday’s killings, the number of Maoists shot dead in security actions across Chhattisgarh this year rose to 268 — 239 in Bastar alone, 27 in Gariyaband under Raipur division, and two in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki in Du-rg. Union home minister Amit Shah has set a March 2026 de-adline for eliminating the M-aoist insurgency nationwide.Bastar range IG P Sundarraj said 12 bodies were retrieved from the site. “Weapons like SLR rifles, .303 rifles and other arms and ammunition have been found,” he said.DRG lost head constable Monu Vadadi and constables Dukaru Gonde and Ramesh Sori, while their wounded colleague Somdev Yadav has been admitted to hospital.Security forces continued combing the dense jungles along the Dantewada-Bijapur axis, where Maoist formations have long attempted to regroup. “Since the operation is still in progress, detailed information cannot be shared. Further details, including the identity and rank of the slain Maoists, will be confirmed after search and clearance,” Sundarraj said.Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav described the operation as a “decisive and aggressive action” and said the area had been fully cordoned off.Reinforcements were deployed to sweep for more Maoist insurgents. The shootout comes less than three weeks after security forces killed top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma on Nov 18 in the forests of Maredumilli on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Prade-sh border. Hidma — one of the most wanted Maoist guerrillas accused of executing more than 26 major attacks over two decades — was killed along with his wife Rajje alias Rajakka and four others.
