Maoist Gunfight in Sukma Leaves Three Dead, as Insurgency Hits Final Stage
Image Source: Internet
In a fierce encounter on Sunday, three Maoists, including two women, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Sukma's Tumalpad forest. The operation was launched based on intelligence inputs about the movement of Maoists in the area, according to Sukma police superintendent Kiran Chavan. The exchange of fire continued intermittently, resulting in the recovery of the bodies of Madvi Deva, Podiam Gangi, and Sodhi Gangi, who carried a bounty of ₹5 lakh each on their heads. The seized arms included a .303 rifle, Barrel Grenade Launchers, and explosives. Deva, a sniper specialist, was allegedly involved in civilian killings. Inspector general (Bastar range) Sundarraj Pattilingam described the Maoist movement in the region as being in its 'final stage,' urging the remaining Maoists to surrender and join the government's rehabilitation programme. This year, 262 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh, while nearly 300 surrendered last month. The Union government remains committed to eliminating the Maoist insurgency by March 2026, as reiterated by top officials.
