After Hidma, Devji Also Killed? Encounter Continues on Chhattisgarh Border, 7 Naxals Dead

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Security forces continued their intensive operations against Naxals along the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border, killing seven Naxal insurgents, including three women. Among the slain insurgents, reports indicate that key leaders, including Devji and Jogaa alias Tek Shankar, may have been eliminated. The operation also resulted in the seizure of eight weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, and the arrest of 50 suspected Naxals.

Encounter Ongoing Since Early Morning

The encounter began Wednesday morning in the dense forests of Maredumilli, along the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border. Andhra Pradesh Greyhounds forces encircled the Naxals, and the operation, starting at 6:30 AM, achieved significant success. Security personnel recovered the bodies of four male and three female insurgents, along with several weapons and tactical equipment.

The slain include senior cadres such as Metru Jogaa Rao alias Tek Shankar, Sita, Jyoti, and other key operatives. Security forces remain on high alert, conducting thorough searches in the area.

Previous Operation and Ongoing Campaign

This area had witnessed a major operation on Tuesday, when security forces eliminated Hidma, the notorious Naxal commander with a ₹1 crore bounty, along with his wife and six other insurgents. Operations are ongoing in Rajnandgaon district as well, where security personnel engaged Naxals in the forests near Bortalao Police Station, resulting in one security personnel sustaining injuries.

ADG Intelligence Confirms Progress

State Intelligence ADG Mahesh Chandra Ladda confirmed in a press briefing that the operations launched on Tuesday continue, with seven Naxals confirmed dead so far. Three of the deceased are women. Identification of the slain insurgents is underway, while significant documents, weapons, and technical equipment have been recovered from the encounter sites.

Security forces maintain that the operation aims to dismantle the remaining Naxal leadership and neutralize their operational capabilities in Bastar and adjoining regions.