Bijapur Strikeback: Security Forces Neutralize 13 Naxalites in Intense Encounter

In a significant operation aimed at curbing Maoist terrorism, security forces dealt a decisive blow to Naxalite extremists by eliminating 13 of them in a fierce encounter that unfolded in the heart of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh.

This district holds immense electoral significance as it falls within the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, slated for polls on April 19, thus amplifying the urgency of maintaining law and order in the region.

The confrontation erupted in the early hours of the morning (2nd April, 2024) amidst the dense foliage near Lendra village, falling under the jurisdiction of Gangaloor police station. A coordinated effort led by a coalition of security units comprising the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was instrumental in orchestrating the operation, which aimed to dismantle the entrenched network of Naxalite terrorists.

As the gunfight subsided, the aftermath revealed the grim toll exacted upon the naxal terrorists, with the recovery bodies strewn across the forest floor, accompanied by the seizure of a cache of weapons, including a potent light machine gun.

Subsequent combing operations unearthed more bodies on Wednesday morning, underscoring the ferocity of the clash and the resolute determination of the security forces to uphold peace and stability in the region.

The identification of the killed Maoists has not been completed yet, although security force sources say that many big Maoist leaders have been killed in this action.

Apart from this, news is also coming out that 16 to 17 Maoist terrorists have been killed in this encounter, although this number has not been confirmed yet.

This is the first incident in the history of the state when the security forces have achieved such huge success, while on the other hand the security personnel have not suffered any loss.

The timing of this operation assumes added significance as it coincides with the Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) period, a phase during which Naxalite activities typically witness a surge between March and June.

The Bastar region, long plagued by sporadic outbreaks of violence, finds itself particularly vulnerable to insurgent reprisals during this volatile period, necessitating heightened vigilance and proactive measures by security personnel.

This latest encounter comes on the heels of a similar engagement on March 27, wherein six Naxalites were neutralised in the Basaguda area of Bijapur, further underscoring the escalating tensions and the persistent threat posed by insurgent elements in the region.

With the cumulative tally of casualties in encounters this year soaring to an alarming 45, the resolve of the security forces to combat the Naxalite menace remains unwavering, exemplifying their steadfast commitment to restoring peace and tranquillity in the embattled Bastar region.

As the spectre of the upcoming general elections looms large, the authorities have intensified security measures, underscoring the imperative of maintaining a robust security apparatus to safeguard the democratic process and thwart any attempts at subversion by anti-state elements.

In this ongoing struggle between security forces and Naxalite terrorists, each encounter serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in restoring normalcy to the conflict-ridden hinterlands of Chhattisgarh, where the echoes of violence continue to reverberate amidst the verdant canopy of the Bastar region.

Report by


Shomen Chandra
Intern, The Narrative