In a major breakthrough for security forces, 17 Maoists, including a high-ranking commander named Jagdish alias Budhra, were killed in an encounter in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday. Jagdish, the leader of the Darbha division and a key accused in several high-profile attacks, carried a bounty of ₹25 lakh on his head.
The Encounter
The encounter took place in the morning when a joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched an operation based on intelligence inputs about Maoist presence in the Kerlapal area. A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of 17 Maoists.
Two DRG personnel sustained injuries during the operation but are reported to be in stable condition and out of danger. Security forces have recovered a large cache of weapons from the encounter site, including:
- AK-47 rifles
- Self-loading rifles
- INSAS and .303 rifles
- Rocket launchers
- BGL launchers
- Explosives
The Fall of Maoist Commander Jagdish
Jagdish alias Budhra was considered one of the most dangerous Maoist leaders in the region and had been on the radar of security forces for years. He was the mastermind behind the deadly 2013 Jhiram Valley attack, which killed 25 people, including Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and other party leaders. He was also linked to the 2023 Aranpur attack, which claimed the lives of several DRG jawans.
His death marks a significant milestone in the fight against Maoist insurgency, given his notoriety and the threat he posed to security forces.
Intensified Anti-Maoist Operations
The latest encounter is part of an intensified crackdown on Maoist insurgents across the Bastar range. Just a few days earlier, on Tuesday, security forces had killed three Maoists, including another senior leader named Sudhir alias Sudhakar, who also carried a bounty of ₹25 lakh.
Since March 20, security forces have neutralized 49 Maoists in a series of successful operations, demonstrating a significant escalation in anti-Maoist efforts.
Ongoing Search Operations
Officials believe that more Maoists might have been killed or injured during the encounter. Search and combing operations are still underway in the surrounding forest areas to track down any remaining insurgents.
This decisive action is seen as a major morale boost for security forces and a substantial blow to the Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh.
