Fourteen Maoists Killed in Early-Morning Encounters With Security Forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and Bijapur

Raipur, January 3, 2026: At least fourteen Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and Bijapur districts on Saturday morning, marking the first armed clash between Maoists and security personnel in the state this year. The encounters were carried out by teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) during anti-Maoist operations in forested areas of the two neighbouring districts. According to police officials, twelve Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire in southern Sukma district, while two others were neutralised in Bijapur, where the encounter began around 5 am. Security forces had launched operations based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence and movement of armed Maoist cadres in the region. Superintendent of Police Kiran Chawan confirmed that one of the key Maoists killed in Sukma was Mangdu, also known as Vetti Mangdu or Mukka, who served as the secretary of the Konta area committee. Officials said all armed Maoists belonging to the Konta area committee were eliminated in the operation, dealing a major blow to the banned outfit’s local structure. Police sources said Mangdu was a divisional committee member and a hardened Maoist leader who had been active for several years. He was allegedly involved in multiple violent incidents and was considered the mastermind behind the improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Konta last year that claimed the life of additional superintendent of police Akash Rao Giripunje. Despite being cornered several times in the past, Mangdu had managed to escape earlier encounters. The areas of Konta and Kistaram in Sukma district have long been considered strongholds of Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of the banned Maoist organisation. Senior officers said these regions served as a breeding ground for top Maoist leaders and acted as crucial transit routes connecting Chhattisgarh with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The latest operation is being seen as a significant step in weakening the Maoists’ operational base in the region. The encounters come at a crucial time, as the March 2026 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate Maoism from the country draws closer. Security forces across central and eastern India have intensified operations, focusing on leadership targets and core areas once dominated by Maoist groups. The development also coincided with plans for the surrender of several Maoists later in the day. Among those expected to surrender before Telangana police was Barsa Deva, also known as Barsa Sukka, a senior commander of PLGA Battalion 1. Officials believe a combination of sustained pressure, targeted operations, and surrender policies has contributed to weakening morale within Maoist ranks. Since 2024, more than 500 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh as part of coordinated anti-insurgency efforts. Police officials say many cadres are either surrendering or retreating from core zones due to increased surveillance, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger coordination between state and central forces. An officer involved in the operations said the elimination of leaders like Mangdu sends a strong message and disrupts command structures on the ground. “These areas were once considered no-go zones. Continuous operations have helped regain control and limit Maoist movement,” the officer said. Security forces have recovered weapons and other materials from the encounter sites, and search operations were ongoing in nearby forest areas to ensure no remaining cadres were hiding. Authorities said further details would be shared after the completion of combing operations. The Chhattisgarh government has reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and development in Maoist-affected regions, while continuing efforts to encourage remaining cadres to surrender and rejoin the mainstream. Fourteen Maoists Killed in Early-Morning Encounters With Security Forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and Bijapur Early on Saturday morning, security forces carried out major anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh that led to the killing of fourteen Maoists in two separate encounters in Sukma and Bijapur districts. This was the first direct clash between Maoists and security forces in the state in 2026, marking a significant start to the year for ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. According to police officials, twelve Maoists were killed during a gunfight in the southern part of Sukma district, while two others were neutralised in a separate encounter in neighbouring Bijapur. The operations were conducted by teams of the District Reserve Guard after receiving specific intelligence inputs about the presence of armed Maoist cadres in the forest areas. The encounter in Bijapur reportedly began around 5 am. Among those killed in Sukma was Mangdu, also known as Vetti Mangdu or Mukka, who was the secretary of the Konta area committee. Police said he was a senior Maoist leader and had been involved in several violent incidents over the years. He was also believed to be the mastermind behind the IED blast in Konta last year that killed additional superintendent of police Akash Rao Giripunje. Officials said all armed Maoists of the Konta area committee were eliminated in the operation. The Konta and Kistaram regions of Sukma have long been considered strongholds of Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army, the armed wing of the banned Maoist organisation. These areas were used for training, movement and as transit routes linking Chhattisgarh with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Security officials say the latest encounters have dealt a serious blow to Maoist activity in the region. The operations come as the March 2026 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate Maoism approaches. On the same day, several Maoists, including senior commander Barsa Deva alias Barsa Sukka, were expected to surrender before Telangana police. Since 2024, over 500 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh, reflecting sustained pressure by security forces. Search operations are ongoing, and weapons have been recovered from the encounter sites as authorities continue efforts to restore peace in affected areas.