Bijapur Ambush Foiled: 18 Naxalites Neutralized, Arms Recovered

A successful anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district has culminated in the neutralization of 18 Maoist cadres. The intense firefight occurred in the forest areas along the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts, a known hub for Naxalite activity. Security forces, acting on specific inputs, launched a robust offensive that led to the confrontation. The number of Naxalites neutralized rose to 18 following a comprehensive search operation, which also yielded a substantial cache of weapons, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles. A key figure among the eliminated was Modiyam Vella, a company commander for the PLGA, who was wanted for his role in numerous attacks, including the lethal 2020 Minpa ambush that claimed 17 security personnel. Vella was also a wanted man with a reward of Rs 8 lakh. The operation, while a significant tactical win, resulted in the martyrdom of three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and injuries to two others. This year has witnessed a high number of Naxalite neutralizations in Chhattisgarh, with 275 individuals eliminated, primarily in the Bastar region. The fight against insurgency has also tragically cost the lives of 23 security personnel.