Raipur, Sep 13 (NationPress) In a major setback for Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh, security forces successfully neutralised two senior cadres during a fierce encounter in the Bijapur district. The operation, conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), commenced in the early hours after receiving credible intelligence about Maoist movements in the dense forests of southwest Bijapur, according to police officials.

This encounter is part of a series of intensified counter-insurgency initiatives aimed at dismantling the operational capabilities of the banned Naxalite group.

The deceased individuals have been identified as Hidma Podiyam, 34, from Bedset in the Indravati area, and Munna Madkam, 25, hailing from Katekalyan in Dantewada district. Both were active members of Platoon No. 01 under Company No. 02 and had individual bounties of Rs 8 lakh. Their elimination signifies a strategic victory due to their long-standing roles in orchestrating attacks against security forces in the Bastar region.

According to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, the DRG team launched the operation based on reliable intelligence regarding Maoist activities.

The encounter, which began in the morning, involved intermittent gunfire exchanges.

After securing the area, the forces retrieved a significant cache of arms and explosives, including a .303 rifle with live ammunition, a 12-bore shotgun, batteries, Cardex wire, scanner sets, and Maoist literature. These materials are believed to be integral to the group's logistical and communication networks.

This operation occurs amid a renewed effort by state and central agencies to curtail Maoist influence in the region.

Over the past year, security forces have increased surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts, resulting in successful operations in Sukma, Dantewada, and Bijapur.

The focus remains on targeting leadership figures and disrupting supply chains that support the insurgency.

The recovery of weapons and propaganda materials from the encounter site indicates that the slain cadres were not only combatants but were also engaged in ideological indoctrination and recruitment.

Officials assert that such operations are vital for diminishing the morale and organizational strength of the Maoist network.

As investigations proceed, this encounter is recognized as a tactical victory in the ongoing struggle against left-wing extremism in central India. The Chhattisgarh state government has reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and development in the affected areas.