High-Profile Maoist Commander Killed in Gariaband Encounter, Chhattisgarh; Security Forces Continue Operations

The security forces have achieved a significant victory in the ongoing encounter in Gariaband. They killed Naxal commander Manoj alias Modem Balkrishna alias Bhaskar, a member of the Central Committee, who had a one-crore-rupee reward on his head. The security forces received intelligence on Thursday that Modem Balkrishna was hiding in the forests with other Naxalites. Subsequently, a team of security forces surrounded the area, leading to the encounter and the death of the commander. IG Amresh Mishra of Raipur Range provided information regarding the operation. He said that the encounter continues with intermittent firing. SP Nikhil Rakecha of Gariaband district also confirmed the encounter.