The commander and a reward of Rs 25 lakh, Shankar Rao and Lalita were also among the killed Naxalites.
Kanker. On Tuesday, 29 Naxalites were killed in a joint action by BSF and DRG in Chhotabethiya police station area of the district. The number of Naxalites killed in the action that took place between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm in the Hapatola forest between Binagunda and Coronar, three days before the voting in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, is expected to increase further.
The killed Naxalites also include their commander Shankar Rao with a reward of Rs 25 lakh and Lalita with a reward of Rs 25 lakh. Apart from this, Naxalite commander Raju of Maad area has also been killed. BSF Inspector Ramesh Chandra Chaudhary was shot in the leg in retaliation by Naxalites. Two DRG soldiers were also injured. All three have been airlifted to Raipur. This is the biggest success so far in the action against Naxalites.
Earlier on April 2, 2024, soldiers had killed 13 Naxalites in Bijapur. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, while congratulating the soldiers on the success of the operation, has said that the government is committed to freeing the state from Naxalites. For the peace and happiness of the state, avenues are still open for talks with Naxalites and their return to the mainstream.
Keep in mind that on April 14 itself, during the election rally in Rajnandgaon, Home Minister Amit Shah had pledged to make Chhattisgarh free from Naxal after coming to power at the Center for the third time. Bastar IG P Sundarraj and BSF DIG Alok Kumar Singh have termed it a big success in the anti-Naxal operation. He told that an encounter took place between the joint party of DRG and BSF and Naxalites, about 14-15 km away from Chhotabethiya police station. Seven AK 47 and three LMG weapons and INSAS rifle have also been recovered from the Naxalites. Kanker SP IK Alesela said that based on information about a meeting of Naxalites in this area bordering Maharashtra to prevent violence during the elections, a joint action was cordoned off. The Naxalites counter-attacked but were forced to flee down into the hilly area. The soldiers took advantage of this and killed them.
