A major anti-Naxal operation in the Keshkutul forest of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district—located nearly 100 km from the Odisha border—resulted in the killing of 15 Maoists and the martyrdom of three security personnel. The encounter, one of the most intense in the region this year, began late Wednesday night and continued into early Thursday morning, according to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav.
Prolonged Gunfight in Forested Terrain
A joint security team consisting of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and the elite CoBRA unit came under sudden fire during a combing operation in the dense forest zone. The forces retaliated, leading to a prolonged exchange of gunfire in which 12 Maoists were initially reported killed. Officials later confirmed the toll had risen to 15.
Security teams recovered SLRs, .303 rifles, and a significant quantity of explosives from the encounter site. The bodies of the deceased Maoists are undergoing identification.
Security Personnel Martyred
Three DRG personnel sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the encounter. Two additional personnel were critically injured and evacuated for advanced medical care. Security forces continued to maintain pressure in the core forest area as operations remained active at the time of the latest reports.
Hotbed of Maoist Activity
The Keshkutul region, marked by rugged terrain and poor road access, has long served as a refuge for Maoist groups. The recovery of arms and explosives indicates the presence of a sizeable Maoist formation. Search operations have been intensified to locate any militants who may have fled deeper into the forest.
Wider Counter-Maoist Offensive
The encounter comes amid an expanding anti-Maoist push across Chhattisgarh and Odisha’s border districts. On November 29, BSF Inspector General Shiv Aadhar Shrivastava stated in Bhubaneswar that Maoist groups still operating in Odisha would face firm action if they refused to surrender. He reiterated the target of eliminating remaining Maoist pockets by March 2026.
According to BSF data, intensified operations across Odisha in 2024 resulted in 19 Maoists being killed, eight arrested and six surrendering, reflecting sustained efforts to weaken Maoist influence in the region.
