New Delhi. The security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh have achieved a major success today. So far 30 Naxalites have been killed in an encounter with the police in Maad area on the Narayanpur-Dantewada border. A large quantity of automatic weapons like AK-47 rifles, SLR and a large number of ammunition have also been recovered from the hideout of these slain Naxalites. In this encounter which lasted for about two hours, there was intermittent firing from both the sides. At present a search operation is being conducted in the area. The number of Naxalites killed may also increase.

This operation was jointly carried out by District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) personnel. Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai, while confirming the encounter, said that information was received from the informer that a large number of Naxalites were camping in the forest. After this, security forces personnel were sent to that place. As soon as the Naxalites got wind of the presence of security forces, they started firing. In response, the security personnel also opened fire. 30 Naxalites have been killed in this encounter. There has been no news of any casualty of any security personnel so far.

Last month, on September 3, 9 armed Naxalites were killed in an encounter between police and Naxalites on the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts. Police had recovered a large cache of weapons including SLR and .303 rifle from these Naxalites. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called Naxalism the biggest obstacle to the country's development and has said that it should be rooted out. Amit Shah had recently said that by 2026 we will completely eliminate Naxalism from the country. He also said that the fight against Naxalism is now in the final stages.