Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 30 (HBTV): Security forces in Chhattisgarh neutralized 16 Naxalites and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in a major encounter in the Kerlapal area of Sukma district on Saturday.

Following the encounter, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating armed Naxalism.

He stated: ‘The resolve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is to eliminate armed Naxalism from the country by March 2026, and our security forces are working in the same direction. The bravery and courage with which our security forces are working will help us achieve this goal within the given time frame.’

Earlier, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan confirmed the recovery of 16 Naxal bodies from the site, adding: ‘Two of our jawans sustained injuries during the operation and are being evacuated for medical attention.’

Security forces also seized a large cache of sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), and INSAS rifles. ‘This can be called one of the biggest encounters Sukma has seen to date,’ SP Chavan stated.

Officials said the exchange of fire began after a joint anti-Naxal operation was launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday. The operation was initiated based on specific intelligence about Naxal presence in the Kerlapal area under Sukma police station limits.

The joint team moved out for the search mission on March 28, and intermittent firing continued from early morning on Saturday (March 29). Security forces are now conducting an intensive search of the encounter site and the surrounding forested terrain.

Sukma is one of the worst-affected districts in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, which has witnessed several Naxal attacks in the past.

(ANI)