15 Maoists gunned down in major anti-Naxal operation near Odisha border; three security personnel martyred

Fifteen Maoists were killed, and three security personnel lost their lives during a large-scale anti-Naxal operation in the Keshkutul forest of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, nearly 100 km from the Odisha border.

Marked as one of the most intense encounters recorded in the area this year, the exchange of fire, confirmed by Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav, continued deep inside the forest zone as combined security teams maintained pressure on the group between late last night and early Thursday morning.

Twelve Maoists Killed in Prolonged Gunfight

According to the district police, the joint team, comprising personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and the elite CoBRA unit, came under fire during an ongoing combing operation in the forested tract.

In the gun battle that followed, 12 Maoists were shot dead. Security officials recovered SLRs, .303 rifles and a sizeable quantity of explosive material from the site.

Three DRG personnel lost their lives after sustaining gunshot injuries during the firefight, while two others were critically wounded and evacuated for treatment. The encounter zone remained active as of the last reports, with forces continuing operations to flush out remaining Maoist cadres believed to be in the vicinity.

Ongoing Operation in Core Forest Belt

Sources reported that the encounter unfolded in a densely forested pocket near Keshkutul, a region that has witnessed frequent Maoist activity due to its difficult terrain and limited road access.

Reports added that the recovery of weapons and explosives indicates the presence of a sizeable Maoist module, adding that identification of the deceased militants is underway. Further searches in adjoining locations are being carried out to determine whether additional members of the group have dispersed deeper into the forest.

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Intensified Anti-Maoist Push in the Region

The encounter comes against the backdrop of renewed counter-Maoist efforts across Chhattisgarh and Odisha’s border districts.

On November 29, BSF Inspector General Shiv Aadhar Shrivastava, addressing the media in Bhubaneswar, reiterated that Maoist groups still active in Odisha would face firm action if they refused to surrender. He stated that eliminating remaining Maoist strongholds by March 2026 remains a principal operational objective.

According to the BSF, intensified operations in Odisha throughout 2024 led to 19 Maoists being killed, eight arrested and six surrendering.