28 Suspected Maoist Rebels Killed in Gun Fight in Central India
Police in Chhattisgarh, India, reported that security forces had engaged in a gun fight with suspected Maoist rebels, resulting in the death of 28 rebels. The clash occurred during a search operation in the Narayanpur and Dantewada districts, specifically in the Abujhmad forest area.
A member of the security forces sustained a minor injury during the battle, and the joint operation involving police and other security branches is ongoing. This incident follows Interior Minister Amit Shah’s warning to insurgents to surrender or face severe consequences as the government aims to end the insurgency by 2026.
Chhattisgarh is a stronghold for the Maoist rebels, also known as Naxalites, who claim to fight for oppressed rural and tribal communities. The rebels follow Mao Zedong’s communist ideology and have been engaged in a long-standing conflict with government forces, resulting in thousands of casualties over the years.
India has deployed large numbers of security personnel to combat the insurgency in the Maoist-dominated region, resulting in significant losses for the rebels. The government reports a decrease in the rebel-controlled area in recent years, signaling progress in tackling the insurgency.