In a significant development in the ongoing campaign against Left Wing Extremism, security forces achieved a major breakthrough on Thursday by neutralizing two high-value Maoist operatives in the dense forests of Bijapur district, located within Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. This successful operation resulted in the elimination of rebels carrying a combined cash reward of Rs 7 lakh, marking another critical step in the security apparatus's efforts to dismantle Naxal networks ahead of the March 31 deadline to eradicate Red terror from the state.
Details of the Slain Maoists and Their Crimes
The deceased insurgents have been identified as ACM Pradeep, also known by his alias Joga, and PM Bhima Veko. Pradeep held the position of an area committee member and was wanted with a substantial bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head. His associate, Bhima Veko, was a party member carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh. Both individuals were active members of the notorious Pamed area committee, a faction known for its violent activities across the region.
Bastar range Inspector General of Police, P Sundarraj, provided crucial insights during a press briefing, confirming that the duo was implicated in numerous violent crimes. Their criminal portfolio included direct involvement in civilian killings, with one particularly heinous act being the recent murder of Bhima Madkam. Madkam served as the former sarpanch of the Kawargatta gram panchayat, highlighting the Maoists' targeting of local governance figures.
Weapons Recovered and Operational Context
Following the intense gunfight, security personnel conducted thorough combing operations in the area, leading to the recovery of the mortal remains of the two ultras. The seized arsenal included an AK-47 rifle, a 9mm pistol, and various other arms and ammunition, underscoring the well-armed nature of the insurgent group. This operation gains added significance as it comes merely days after a separate incident where eleven jawans sustained injuries due to accidentally triggering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by Maoists in the Karegutta hills of Bijapur.
Chronology of the Intelligence-Based Operation
Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav shared detailed operational specifics, revealing that the confrontation erupted in the Kawargatta–Gundrajgudem forest and hill belt within the Pamed region of south Bijapur. The security forces had launched a meticulously planned, intelligence-based operation targeting armed cadres affiliated with the Pamed area committee.
The sequence of events began on Wednesday evening when a District Reserve Guard (DRG) team initiated a search operation based on specific and actionable intelligence inputs. The encounter itself commenced around 7 am on Thursday and persisted for an extended duration, lasting until late hours. After the exchange of fire subsided, the forces proceeded with systematic combing operations, during which they discovered the bodies of the two uniformed Maoists.
This strategic success not only removes dangerous elements from the region but also disrupts the operational capabilities of the Pamed area committee, contributing to enhanced security and stability in Chhattisgarh's conflict-affected zones.
