Chhattisgarh: Encounter breaks out between security forces, Naxalites

The encounter has broken out since afternoon in the limits of Khallari police station in the Dhamtari district and is still underway.

According to the information received, there is intermittent firing from both sides.

The investigation into the encounter is continued.

More details are awaited.

Earlier in the day, two jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in IED blast planted by Naxalites between Silger and Tekulagudem, under the limits of Jagargunda Police Station in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh.

The killed security personnel were identified as Vishnu R (35), hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala while the other jawan was identified as Shailendra (29) who hailed from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The security personnel were part of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) 201 battalion.

CoBRA battalion is a specialized force established to undertake operations of guerrilla and jungle warfare, specifically tailored for addressing the Maoist insurgency.

According to the information received, the incident occurred at 3 pm on Sunday, when these jawans were on Road Opening Duty from Camp Silger (under Jagargunda police station area) to Camp Tekalgudem and the blast of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Naxalites claimed their lives.

The IED was planted by Naxalites on the way from Camp Silger to Tekalgudem to cause harm to the security forces.

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief at the death of two security personnel due to an IED blast carried out by Naxalites in Sukma district of the state.

The Chief Minister regarded this Naxal attack as a 'cowardly act out of frustration' due to the ongoing Naxal eradication campaign in Bastar.

Meanwhile, he also prayed to God for the peace of the departed soul and to provide strength to their families. (ANI)