Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district was the scene of a major anti-Naxal operation where security forces successfully neutralized 18 Maoist cadres in a fierce encounter. The gunfight occurred in the forested terrain along the Bijapur-Dantewada district boundary. Authorities reported the recovery of a large quantity of weapons, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles, from the neutralized militants. Among the slain was Modiyam Vella, a known PLGA commander who was responsible for multiple violent incidents, including the deadly 2020 Minpa ambush that claimed 17 security personnel lives. Vella was designated with an Rs 8 lakh reward. The security forces also suffered casualties, with three dedicated District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel – Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and Jawan Ramesh Sodhi – making the ultimate sacrifice. Two other DRG personnel were wounded. This year has been particularly intense, with security forces neutralizing 275 Naxalites statewide. The Bastar region remains a focal point, with 246 Naxalites eliminated there. In this ongoing conflict, 23 security personnel have been martyred across the state.
