Sukma (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 29: In a major counterinsurgency operation, security forces neutralized 16 Naxalites in an ongoing encounter in the Kerlapal area of Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, on Saturday, confirmed an official.
According to Bastar Inspector General (IG) of Police Sundarraj P, two jawans sustained minor injuries during the intense gunfight.
Joint Anti-Naxal Operation in Sukma
The encounter began following a joint operation launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday. Acting on specific intelligence reports about Naxal presence in Kerlapal, security forces initiated a search operation on March 28.
Intermittent firing has continued since Saturday morning (March 29), with security personnel now conducting an intensive search of the encounter site and surrounding forested terrain.
Sukma remains one of the worst Naxal-affected districts in the Bastar region, which has witnessed multiple Maoist attacks in the past.
Recent Naxal Activities in Chhattisgarh
- March 28: A jawan was injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by Naxalites, exploded in Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh.
- March 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament that by March 31, 2026, Naxalism will be eradicated from the country.
- From 2004 to 2014, there were 16,463 violent incidents. In the last 10 years, this number dropped by 53%.
- Security personnel casualties reduced by 73% in the past decade, from 1,851 (2004-2014) to 509 (2014-2024).
- Civilian deaths due to Naxal violence also decreased by 70%, from 4,766 to 1,495.
Government’s Development Push in Naxal-Affected Regions
- 11,503 km of highways and 20,000 km of rural roads have been constructed in Naxal-hit areas.
- 4,888 mobile towers have been installed, with 4,000 more set to be operational by December 1, 2024, ensuring full mobile connectivity in Naxal-affected regions.