Three more Naxal bodies recovered after Chhattisgarh encounter, death toll reaches 31

In Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, police recovered the bodies of three more Naxalites on Saturday morning, following a major encounter with security forces. This brings the total number of Naxalites killed in the Friday gunfight to 31. The clash took place in a dense forest on the border of Dantewada and Narayanpur districts, where security forces were conducting an anti-Naxal operation. 

Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P confirmed the recovery of the bodies, though their identities are yet to be verified. Initial reports suggest the Naxalites were members of Maoist groups PLGA company No. 6 and Platoon 16, both part of the east Bastar division.

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Biggest operation since State's creation

The encounter started early Friday morning, around 1 a.m., when security forces, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF), engaged the Naxalites in a long gunfight. This is the deadliest operation against Maoists in Chhattisgarh since the state was formed 24 years ago.

During the operation, a DRG jawan was injured by a grenade shell fired by the Naxalites. Along with the bodies, security forces also recovered weapons, including an AK-47, SLR, INSAS rifle, LMG, and a .303 rifle.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the forces for their success and reiterated the government's commitment to eliminating the Naxal threat. So far this year, 188 Naxalites have been killed in various operations across the Bastar region, which includes districts like Dantewada and Narayanpur.