Chhattisgarh police say 18 Maoists killed in Bijapur operation, up from earlier estimate of 12-OxBig News Network

Security personnel after an encounter with Maoists, in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh,on January 17, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Chhattisgarh police on Saturday (January 18, 2025) said that 18 Maoists — not 12, as initially announced — were killed in the South Bastar operation earlier this week, attributing the update to a press release in which the Maoists themselves conceded losing more members.

Earlier, 12 bodies were recovered following the operation in the forests of Tumrel, Sigampalli, Pujarikanker, and Malempenta in the border areas of the Pamed, Usur, and Basaguda police jurisdictions in Bijapur district. Security forces had targeted the PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) Battalion No. 01 and CRC (Central Regional Committee), considered to be among the strongest military formations in the Maoist hierarchy.

“In today’s press release, Naxals have accepted the loss of 18 cadres, including that of Telangana State Committee cadre Damodar. It is a big setback to the Naxals in one of their important stronghold areas,” said Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P. Sundarraj.

Also read | CPI Maoists’ Telangana secretary Bade Damodar among Naxals killed in Bijapur encounter

“Just to keep up the devastated morale of their cadres, the Naxals are alleging casualties of security forces and atrocities against the villagers, which is totally baseless and untrue. We will take this fight to the finish and ensure the end of the illegal and banned Maoist outfit,” he added.