Two Maoists were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, Abujhmad forest. Weapons were recovered as combing operations continue. The action is part of a broader anti-Maoist campaign in the Bastar division, aimed at reclaiming control over the insurgency-affected region.
Two Maoist insurgents were neutralised by security forces in the densely forested Abujhmad region of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district. The encounter, which began on Wednesday evening, is part of an ongoing combing operation targeting armed insurgents entrenched in the rugged terrain of southern Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division.
According to official sources, the joint operation was launched after intelligence inputs confirmed the presence of Maoist operatives near Kohkameta village, an area under the jurisdiction of the local police station. Acting swiftly, personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) in Narayanpur and the Special Task Force (STF) from Kondagaon were mobilised to the location.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range), P. Sundarraj, confirmed the incident, stating that the joint team came under fire upon approaching a suspected Maoist hideout deep within the Abujhmad forest. “As the team closed in, they were ambushed by Maoist cadres. Security forces retaliated with controlled firepower. The exchange continued through the night,” he said.
At first light on Thursday morning, the security forces discovered the bodies of two Maoists. Alongside the deceased, they recovered an INSAS rifle, a .315 bore country-made firearm, and a substantial cache of incriminating materials. While the identities of the slain insurgents are yet to be officially confirmed, initial intelligence suggests that they were part of a local armed cadre active in the region.
The current operation is part of a wider campaign targeting Maoist strongholds in the Maad Division, a remote and inaccessible stretch of forest that has long served as a strategic base for insurgent groups. Despite regular counter-insurgency drives and increased patrolling, the region continues to witness periodic confrontations between Maoists and security forces.
Abujhmad, known for its rugged terrain and minimal State infrastructure, has historically provided insurgents with natural cover and a logistical advantage. The area remains one of the least governed zones in Chhattisgarh, posing a persistent challenge to law enforcement and development efforts.
Security personnel are continuing their combing operation to flush out any remaining Maoist presence in the area. Additional reinforcements have been dispatched, and aerial surveillance is being conducted to monitor movement across forested routes. The recovered arms and documents are currently being examined by forensic experts to determine any links to previous attacks or known Maoist supply lines.
IG Sundarraj also appealed to the local population to remain calm and cooperate with authorities. “We understand the apprehension among villagers in such sensitive zones. However, I assure you that the situation is under control, and the security grid is on high alert,” he stated.
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This incident marks another successful strike in the government’s intensified campaign to dismantle Maoist formations in the insurgency-hit Bastar division. Over the past few months, similar operations have been carried out in adjoining districts such as Bijapur, Dantewada, and Sukma, leading to significant disruptions in Maoist command structures.
While this latest encounter signifies progress, officials caution that the Maoist problem remains far from resolved. The evolving nature of insurgency, local support networks, and the difficulty of terrain mean that a sustained and multidimensional strategy — involving security, development, and community engagement — is essential to achieving long-term peace in the region.
