Maoist rebels engaged in a shootout; four insurgents, three of them women, lose their lives in Balaghat standoff.
Havoc in Balaghat: 4 Naxalites Bit the Dust in a Furious Firefight
Gear up for some action-packed news from the deep, dark forests of Pachama Dadar range in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh.Security forces in a relentless bust-up with Naxalites, stomped four of the rebels, yes, you heard that right - three women and one man, in a nerve-wracking encounter reminiscent of a scene from an action movie. Pankaj Shrivastava, the bigwig in charge of Anti-Naxal Operations, confirmed the bloodbath, Casually dropping, “Three female and one male Maoist were neutralised in the encounter.”
The takedown took place during a joint operation by the Hawk Force and local police, based on intel hinting at the presence of Naxalites in the area. The narrative unfolded with a surprising twist as the forces initiated an attack on the Maoist hideout nestled deep in the woods. In a hail of bullets, three Maoists met their end in the initial shootout. As the others attempted to slither away a pursuing barrage of gunfire sealed the fate of the fourth Naxalite.
Three female bodies, as yet unidentified, were retrieved from the carnage. The fourth body is also being extracted. Shrivastava clarified, "The bodies of three women Maoists have been recovered. Identification is yet to be confirmed. The fourth body is also being retrieved." A brief interruption due to heavy rainfall halted the post- operation combing-out process. The operation resumes early Sunday morning, with an estimated 15 rebels still lurking in the area.
The exterminated rebels were members of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) outfit, a notorious presence across Madhya Pradesh and the adjacent Chhattisgarh. A substantial collection of weapons and combat gear was recovered from the incident site, including an INSAS rifle, a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a .303 rifle, and other armaments and ammunitions. The recovery process is still underway, with more weapons and perhaps more casualties expected to turn up.
This victory marks a significant milestone in the ongoing anti-Naxal campaign in the region. The operation was a collaborative effort by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the state police's Hawk Force, and local district police. The operation disrupted a crucial annual gathering of the Maoists in the area. Each of the deceased terrorists carried a whopping reward of Rs 14 lakh, adding up to a total bounty of Rs 56 lakh[2][4]. This operation underscores the progress made in the fight against left-wing extremism (LWE) in the region, with the objective to annihilate Naxalism by March 2026[4].
[1] NDTV, (2021). Biggest Intensification of Operations: 30 Naxals Killed in 3 Raids in Chhattisgarh's Bastar. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/biggest-intensification-of-operations-30-naxals-killed-in-3-raids-in-chhattisgarh-s-bastar-3013027
[2] Hindustan Times, (2021). 'Most wanted' CPI (Maoist) Naxal leader Rohit killed in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, says police. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/most-wanted-cpi-maoist-naxal-leader-rohit-killed-in-chhattisgarh-s-dantewada-district-says-police-101615904603779.html
[3] Times of India, (2021). Find those who enticed youth with misinformation and persuaded them to join Naxal ranks: MP CM to police. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/find-those-who-enticed-youth-with-misinformation-and-persuaded-them-to-join-naxal-ranks-mp-cm-to-police/articleshow/86481389.cms
[4] The Indian Express, (2021). Rajnath Singh launches battalion of CoBRA in Jehanabad, Bihar, as part of the I-B's plans to combat left-wing extremism. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajnath-singh-launches-battalion-of-cobra-in-jehanabad-bihar-as-part-of-the-ib-s-plans-to-combat-left-wing-extremism-7498163/
[5] Deccan Herald, (2021). Nagpur: Naxal couple killed in encounters with police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli. Retrieved from https://www.deccanherald.com/national/nagpur-naxal-couple-killed-in-encounters-with-police-in-maharashtra-s-gadchiroli-1031447.html
Mumbai news outlets are reporting on the significant victory in the ongoing anti-Naxal campaign in Madhya Pradesh, where a joint operation led to the deaths of four Naxalites, including three women. This operation has disrupted a crucial annual gathering of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) outfit and recoveries include an INSAS rifle, a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a .303 rifle, and other armaments. The region's politics will likely focus on the eradication of Naxalism, with the objective to annihilate Naxalism by March 2026. Moreover, general news and crime-and-justice sections may cover the unfolding events in Balaghat as ongoing war-and-conflicts continue to impact the region.
