19 Naxalites, Including Jairam with ₹1 Crore Bounty, Neutralized in Security Forces’ Encounter

Gariaband (The Uttam Hindu): 19 naxalites including Odisha State Committee chief Jairam alias Chalpati, carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore, were killed in an encounter between security forces and naxalites in Gariaband district near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Odisha Police Headquarters gave this information on Tuesday. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the spot. A search operation is underway at the spot. The killing of Odisha State Committee chief Chalpati has given a major setback to the Naxal movement.

Police had informed yesterday that on the morning of January 20, security forces had launched a major operation against Naxalites in Kulhadi Ghat Reserve Forest. 10 teams of Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police are involved in this operation. These included three teams of Special Operations Group (SOG), two of Chhattisgarh Police and five teams of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Soon after the start of the operation, Naxalites started firing, due to which the security forces quickly cordoned off the area. 1000 soldiers have surrounded 60 Naxalites in Bhalu Diggi forest located in Kulhadi Ghat. The matter is of Mainpur police station area.

The bodies of all the 19 Naxalites killed by the soldiers have been recovered. Many hardcore Naxalites are included in this. According to the information received, the police team had received information about the activities of big Naxalites in the forests of Gariaband. Based on the information, a team of about 700 soldiers was sent to the forest. During the search, the Naxalites had an encounter with the soldiers. The soldiers killed 14 Naxalites. It is being said that the number of Naxalites killed may increase.