Woman Maoist killed in ‘decisive op’ against Maoists

Raipur: A woman Maoist was killed in a gunfight with security forces on Monday in the Karegutta Hills region of Bijapur, near the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, where the ‘decisive' anti-Maoist operation is on since April 21.The body and a .303 rifle have been recovered. This is the fourth confirmed Maoist casualty in the operation since April 24. Police officers believe many more Naxalites have been killed or critically injured during the operation, but difficult terrain has hindered full recovery and confirmation.According to Bastar IG P Sundarraj, the joint operation has been going on in "full force" for over two weeks, targeting Maoist strongholds deep within the dense forests of southern Chhattisgarh. District Reserve Guard, STF, CoBRA, CRPF, and other forces are part of this operation — the biggest ever in Bastar.As forces push deeper into the Maoist den, gunbattles are frequent. The woman was killed in one such encounter on Monday evening.Officials said that security personnel have destroyed hundreds of Maoist hideouts and makeshift bunkers, and recovered a large cache of explosives and detonators, food supplies and medicines and daily utility items. Over 100 IEDs have been neutralised."Despite the challenging topography and logistical hurdles, security forces continue to advance in this decisive phase of the anti-Maoist campaign under the monitoring of Centre and state forces," said an officer, adding that search operations are on, and authorities plan to issue a detailed statement once the operation is over.On May 1, security forces had reclaimed two hills as they advanced towards Karegutta hills, which is the stronghold of several top-ranking Maoist leaders carrying bounties worth crores.Top officials told TOI that forces have covered less than 50% of the targeted hill and it's a long way to go. Speaking to TOI, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj said, "The outcome of anti-Maoist operation is not only about the number of Maoists killed or number of weapons recovered. Maoists had the audacity to plant multiple IEDs along the hill range, rivers and valleys in the sacred land of Bastar and warn the native population not to venture into their own land."