9 Maoists shot dead in fierce gun battle in Dantewada

     Raipur, September 3, 2024: At least nine Maoists were shot dead today in a fierce gun battle with security forces in the world famous high grade iron ore deposit area of Bailadila hills range in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, police officers said.

     “On specific information of presence of Maoists, a team of security forces were dispatched to the forests of Bailadila area for an operation and they had a fierce gun battle today,” Inspector General of Police Bastar P Sunderraj told ChhattisgarhTopNews.Com.

     “Under attack from the Maoists, forces returned fire and in the fierce gun battle nine Maoists were killed,” Sunderraj said.

     “We have recovered bodies of nine Maoists and all their weapons,” said Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Kamal Lochan Kashyap.

     The incident took place in between the forest area of Lohagaon and Endri, under the Kirandul police station of Bailadila area under Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, Kashyap said.

     All the 9 Maoists are members from the Company Number Two of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) of the Maoists, Kashyap said.

     Forces are in the forest and searching for more bodies and weapons, he said.

     Bailadila hills area has the best of iron ores of the world and is a deep forestry area, suitable for the Maoists to engage in their activities.

     The forces have recovered automatic, semi-automatic and other weapons, including Self Loaded Rifles (SLRs), the top officer said.