C-60 commando critical in 48hr gunfight in Abujmarh; one Maoist body found

Nagpur: The tottering Maoist headquarters of Abujmarh turned into a battleground after C-60 commandos and central paramilitary forces were locked in a fierce encounter with guerrillas for over 48 hours now. While a critically injured commando was being evacuated after taking a bullet in close combat, one guerrilla was confirmed killed after a body was retrieved from the encounter site. The rebel toll is likely to rise, say sources, who also confirmed difficulty in evacuation of the injured commando due to treacherous terrain and near-total darkness.
The operation launched from the newly opened forward base at Binagunda in the heart of Abujmarh, is yet to be called off, confirmed sources in the anti-naxal apparatus. The commando operation near Fodewada village in the heart of booby-trapped Abujmarh on the Narayanpur-Gadchiroli corridor, began on Tuesday night based on credible intelligence on movements of Maoist Company No.10 and a Chhattisgarh ‘dalam' (formation). Efforts to verify more Maoist losses have intensified, with drones and ground patrols.Fourteen elite commando units were swiftly moved into the core of Abujmarh led by sub-divisional police officer Bhamragad, Amar Mohite. The forces encircled the area, 2km north of Fodewada, aiming to trap the guerrillas in the dense, hostile terrain.The operation escalated on Wednesday morning, with security forces engaging Maoists in prolonged exchanges of fire that led to decimation of two rebel camps and recovery of a big cache of arms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, a self-loading rifle, documents and ammunition.Maoists initially evaded capture by retreating into the thick forest cover, but C-60 commandos pressed on, resulting in the death of at least one rebel and injuring others. Reinforcements bolstered the operation on the morning of Thursday, with four additional C-60 units and a Quick Action Team from CRPF joining to tighten the cordon and intensify the search. Sporadic gunfire continued through the day, underscoring the resilience of guerrillas, despite mounting pressure. The identity of the slain Maoist is being ascertained, said SP Gadchiroli Neelotpal.This high-stakes mission highlights Maharashtra's aggressive action against Left-wing extremism, driven by the national deadline of March 31 to eradicate remaining Maoist pockets. This marked the first such encounter under the newly appointed DGP Sadanand Date, a veteran of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks and former NIA chief, who recently inspected the remote Binagunda outpost, where the mission took off.Established to extend security reach into previously ungoverned areas, Binagunda served as the launchpad for the operation, enabling rapid response to intelligence inputs. The joint involvement of state and central forces reflects a coordinated strategy to dismantle strongholds in this border zone, where Maoists have historically exploited geographical challenges for guerrilla tactics.As the operation remains active in the rugged jungle, search teams are combing the area to flush out surviving cadres and secure additional evidence. This encounter not only disrupts Maoist logistics but also boosts morale among forces.