Security forces killed 12 Maoists near the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday (3 December) morning when joint teams launched a large search operation that turned into a fierce gunfight. The teams started the operation at around 9 am in the West Bastar Division and faced sudden firing from Maoists. The personnel responded with heavy fire and brought down several attackers, including DVCM Vella Modiyam. Officials say the number of Maoists killed may rise as teams continue to search the dense forest.

Bastar Range IG Sundarraj P confirmed the encounter and said that DRG head constable Monu Vadari, constable Dhukaru Gonde and Ramesh Sodi lost their lives during the gunfight. Two other DRG personnel suffered injuries. Search teams from Gangloor police station area continue to move deeper into the forest to secure the region.

SP Jitendra Yadav said that DRG, STF, COBRA and CRPF teams joined the operation and moved into the Dantewada-Bijapur border zone early in the morning. He said that the Maoists opened fire suddenly and the personnel responded with full force, which led to the deaths of the Maoists. He also said that security teams recovered SLR rifles, 303 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition from the encounter site. Teams are now trying to identify the bodies of the slain Maoists and have sealed the entire area for further search. A backup party has also reached the spot to support the ongoing operation.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai saluted the fallen personnel and said that the state stands with the families of the brave soldiers. Home Minister Vijay Sharma said that the courage of the personnel shows the strength of the forces as they push Maoist violence towards its final stage. He offered tributes to the fallen personnel and praised the efforts of the teams on the ground.

Four days before the encounter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah and NSA Ajit Doval attended the DGP conference in Chhattisgarh where they discussed strategies to end Maoist violence. Amit Shah set a target to eliminate Maoist terrorism by 31 March 2026 and said that security forces must intensify operations across affected regions.

The region recently saw another major breakthrough when security forces killed top Naxal commander Madvi Hidma on 18 November in the Maredmilli forest area near the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border. Personnel also killed his wife Raje also known as Rajakka and four other Maoists during that operation.

Officers at the encounter site in Dantewada and Bijapur continue to scan the area and expect more details to emerge once the operation ends. The forces remain stationed in the forest as the search continues.