Raipur: Two Maoists were neutralised by security forces on Monday during an ongoing encounter in the Abujhmad forests of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, close to the Maharashtra border, officials confirmed.

The identities of the deceased Maoists are yet to be established. Intelligence units are working to determine their ranks and affiliations.

Security operations have been stepped up in the thick forests of Abujhmad, which lie along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in Narayanpur district.

Based on specific intelligence about Maoist movement, a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF) launched a search operation earlier in the day. This led to a heavy exchange of fire.

Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria confirmed that two Maoists were killed in the gunfight. Their bodies have been recovered from the site, along with a cache of weapons. The encounter is still underway, with intermittent gunfire reported from the region.

Security forces continue to comb the area, and further details are expected once the operation concludes.

The operation marks a continuation of sustained efforts by security forces to dismantle Maoist strongholds in Narayanpur and surrounding districts. Troops have been penetrating deep into interior forest zones, often facing hostile terrain and armed resistance.

The current encounter erupted when Maoists opened fire on the approaching team, prompting a swift retaliation.

Officials stated that the recovered weapons suggest the presence of a well-armed group in the area.

This year alone, Chhattisgarh has witnessed the killing of 248 Maoists in various encounters. Of these, 219 were neutralised in the Bastar division, which includes Narayanpur. The Gariaband district of the Raipur division accounted for 27 Maoist deaths, while two were killed in the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagadh Chowki district of the Durg division.

Notably, on September 11, ten Maoists, including Modem Balakrishna, a Central Committee member of the banned CPI-Maoist, were killed in Gariaband.

The ongoing operation in Abujhmad underscores the determination of security forces to root out insurgency from the region.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid venturing into forested areas until the situation stabilises.

IANS