Sukma (Chhattisgarh) [India], November 22 (HBTV): Ten Naxals were killed in an encounter between the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Friday morning.

Inspector General (IG) Bastar, P Sundarraj, confirmed the development, stating, '10 Naxals killed in an encounter with DRG in southern Sukma, Chhattisgarh. INSAS, AK-47, SLR and several other weapons were recovered. The search operation is underway.'

As of an official update at 11.30 am, '10 Naxal bodies have been recovered in the search operation. INSAS, AK-47, SLR, and many other weapons have been recovered. The search operation is ongoing.'

The DRG and CRPF forces had launched the operation based on intelligence about Naxal members from the Konta and Kistaram Area Committees of Sukma district. The encounter occurred in the forested hills around villages Korajuguda, Dantespuram, Nagaram, and Bhandarpadar, under the Bhejji police station area of Sukma district.

Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai praised the security forces for their efforts, emphasizing the state's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards Naxalism. He said ensuring peace, security, and development in Bastar remains a top priority. He expressed confidence that the elimination of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh was inevitable, aligning with the Union Home Minister's target of a Naxal-free state by March 2026.

Earlier this week, CM Vishnudeo Sai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the state's progress in combating Naxalism. The Chief Minister assured that the state government and security forces are working relentlessly to fulfill the target set by the Union Home Minister, with nearly 200 Naxals eliminated and 600-700 surrendering in the past 11 months.

The operation follows a joint search effort earlier this month in the Bastar region, where five Naxals were killed in an encounter, and two jawans were injured.   

(ANI)