Over 15 Maoists gunned down in ‘biggest ever’ operation in Chhattisgarh's Bastar

RAIPUR: Over 15 Maoists were gunned down on Wednesday morning in the “biggest ever” and “decisive anti-Maoist operation that was launched about a fortnight ago in forested hills of Bijapur district located on the borders of Chhattisgarh and Telangana.The operation, coind as '

Operation Sankalp

', was launched on April 21 and so far 19 Maoists bodies have been recovered in the longest offensive ever.

A woman Maoist was killed on Tuesday and the body was recovered along with a .303 calibre weapon.Speaking to TOI, a top police official said that around 15-18 Maoists were killed and the number might increase as and when search progresses.

“Today, good operational outcomes are expected. All security forces are safe and fully committed to ensuring a safe and secure Bastar region. As the operation is currently in progress, specific details cannot be disclosed at this time for security reasons. We will share further information at an appropriate time,” the officer said.Inspector General Sundarraj P (Bastar Range) had said that the joint operation — led by the DRG, STF, CoBRA, CRPF, and other forces — has been in full force for over two weeks, targeting Maoist strongholds deep within the dense forests of southern Chhattisgarh.Officials said that security personnel have destroyed hundreds of Maoist hideouts and bunkers, and recovered a substantial cache of explosives and detonators, food supplies, medicines and daily utility items.The operation has also led to the discovery of over 100 IEDs.Security forces on May 1 had reclaimed two hills as they advanced towards Karegutta hills in Bijapur district which is the stronghold of several top-ranking Maoist leaders carrying bounties worth crores.