Two women Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, police reported on Thursday. The gunfight took place late Wednesday evening in a forest within the Abhujmaad area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kohkameta police station.
According to a police official, the encounter occurred when a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) were conducting an anti-Naxal operation in the area. The operation was initiated based on intelligence inputs indicating the presence of senior Maoist cadres from the Maad division. The DRG personnel involved in the operation were from both Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts.
"So far, the bodies of two women Naxalites, along with an Insas rifle and a .315 bore rifle, have been recovered from the site," the official stated. He further added that the operation was still underway.
Earlier on Thursday, reports emerged of an encounter breaking out between security forces and Naxalites in the same Narayanpur district. This initial exchange of fire also occurred in a forest in Abhujmaad, during an anti-Naxalite operation prompted by information regarding the presence of Maoist cadres.
The ongoing anti-Naxal operations highlight the continued efforts by security forces to combat Maoist insurgency in the region. The Abhujmaad area, known for its dense forests and challenging terrain, has historically been a stronghold for Naxalite activities.