Indian security forces killed five Maoist insurgents in a fierce gunfight in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, while a separate bomb blast injured two policemen, officials confirmed Sunday.
The clash occurred in the dense forests of Bijapur, a hotspot for Maoist activity, with police recovering the bodies of three male and two female insurgents. Weapons seized included a grenade launcher and rifles, according to Inspector General P. Sunderraj.
In a separate incident, a homemade landmine detonated in the same district, wounding two officers.
The Maoist insurgency, rooted in the 1967 Naxalbari uprising and inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, continues to claim lives in India’s central, resource-rich regions. Rebels say they are fighting for the rights of marginalized indigenous communities.
Government forces have intensified operations against the insurgents, resulting in the killing of 287 rebels in 2024, according to official data. Additionally, around 1,000 suspected Maoists were arrested, and 837 surrendered last year.
Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly set a March 2026 deadline to eradicate the insurgency. Despite decades of conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives, recent security campaigns aim to dismantle the movement and restore stability to the affected areas.
13th Jan 2025
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