Security forces recover atleast 18 bodies after Naxal encounter: Chhattisgarh Deputy CM

"Search operations had been going on in the area of Gangaloor, in between Bijapur and Dantewada. So far, the bodies of 18 Naxalites have been recovered, and one of our DRG jawan Raju has also been martyred. The entire government stands with the family, may God give them strength," the Chhattisgarh Deputy CM said.

"I congratulate the jawans Bastar and the whole team of Bijapur, this has been possible due to the strength of the soldiers, and along with Bijapur operation there is a search operation in Kanker too," he added.

A DRG jawan, identified as Raju Oyyami was martyred earlier today during the encounter, along with 22 Naxalities being killed in Bijapur and Kanker districts of Chhattisgarh.

The security forces neutralised 18 Maoists during an encounter in the forest area at the Bijapur-Dantewada border, Inspector General (IG) Bastar P Sundarraj said.

According to the police, the encounter has been underway since 7 AM today.

In the other encounter at the Kanker-Narayanpur border area, security forces grounded four Naxalites near village Koroskodo in the police station area of Chhotebethiya, Inspector General (IG) Bastar P Sundarraj said.

The security forces have also recovered automatic weapons while the Intermittent firing still continues, police added.

Last week, As many as 17 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisagarh's Bijapur district, a police officer said.

Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Jitendra Kumar Yadav told reporters, "Today, 17 Naxalites have surrendered in Bijapur district. All the surrendered Naxalites were active in different capacities in the Gangaloor area committee of the outlawed Maoist organisation."

In February, a total of 18 Naxalites were arrested and explosives were recovered from them in an operation carried out by security forces in three different locations in the Bijapur district. (ANI)