Over 15 Naxals Killed In Ongoing Encounter In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur As Anti-Maoist Operation Intensifies

In a major offensive against Left-Wing Extremism, more than 15 Naxals have been killed in an ongoing encounter near the Keregutta Hills in Bijapur district, police confirmed on Wednesday (9 May).

The operation is being conducted under 'Mission Sankalp' along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, according to ANI report.

According to police officials, the gunfight remains active, with security forces maintaining heavy pressure in the insurgency-hit region.

The encounter is still underway in Bijapur district, a senior police officer stated.

On 5 May, security forces engaged in a gunfight with Naxalites in the dense forest along Bijapur's southwestern border. Following the exchange of fire, a uniformed woman Naxal was found dead at the scene.

A .303 rifle was recovered from her possession. There is a strong possibility that several other Naxalites were either killed or injured in the operation, officials added, citing traces found at the encounter site.

So far, a total of four Naxalite bodies have been recovered in the ongoing operations—three on 24 April and one on 5 May, according to the official statement.

The anti-Naxal drive has seen heightened activity in recent weeks. On 28 April, 24 Naxals, including 14 with bounties totalling Rs 28.50 lakh, surrendered before the Bijapur police.

“14 Naxalites with a total reward of Rs 28.50 lakh surrendered, and a total of 24 Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur,” confirmed Additional Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Governa.

Since the beginning of 2025, the district has seen the arrest of 213 Naxals, the surrender of 203, and the death of 90 insurgents in encounters.

Each surrendered Naxalite has been provided with Rs 50,000 as part of the state’s rehabilitation initiative.

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