Raipur, June 16, 2024 — At least eight Maoist insurgents and a soldier were killed in an early morning gunfight during a security operation against Maoists in the Abujmarh region of Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh. The clash underscores the ongoing conflict between Indian security forces and Maoist rebels in the region.

A senior police officer in Raipur reported that the gunfight erupted in the early hours of Saturday during a joint operation involving the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Special Task Force (STF), and the 53rd Battalion forces from the districts of Narayanpur, Kanker, Dantewada, and Kondagaon. The operation aimed to target and neutralize Maoist insurgents entrenched in the area.

This marks the second joint operation against the Maoists in the region since June 12. The DRG, STF, and the 53rd Battalion have been intensifying their efforts to dismantle Maoist strongholds and reduce insurgent activity.

Last month, in a similar operation in Bijapur district, at least 12 Maoist insurgents were killed in an extensive gunfight with security forces. Additionally, on April 16, security forces killed 29 people in Kanker district and another 10 Maoist rebels in the Abujmarh area of Narayanpur district.

The latest casualties highlight the persistent and deadly conflict between the state and Maoist insurgents, who have been waging a decades-long insurgency against the Indian government. The security forces continue their operations in a bid to bring stability to the region and curtail the activities of the Maoist rebels.

The ongoing operations reflect the Indian government's commitment to eliminating the Maoist threat and restoring peace in the affected areas, despite the significant challenges and risks involved.