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Major gun battle between Maoists, security forces underway at Chhattisgarh’s Indravati National Park
A fierce and prolonged gun battle erupted early Thursday morning between Maoist insurgents and security forces in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh’s Indravati National Park, located in the restive Bijapur district. The exchange of fire, which began during a joint combing operation by CRPF’s CoBRA unit, District Reserve Guard (DRG), and Special Task Force (STF), has continued into the evening hours, suggesting the presence of a large group of armed Maoists, possibly including top cadre leaders.
According to sources from the state police department, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs regarding a Maoist gathering deep inside the core zone of the park, a known hideout due to its inaccessibility and thick forest cover. The teams were airlifted to a remote location on the park’s periphery and began advancing into the jungle on foot late Wednesday night. Around dawn, the Maoists ambushed one of the units, triggering a heavy exchange of fire.
As of now, there is no official confirmation on casualties, but unconfirmed reports suggest that several Maoists may have been injured or killed, and a few jawans have sustained injuries. Evacuation of the injured personnel has been delayed due to intermittent firing and the difficult terrain. Reinforcements have been rushed in from nearby camps, and aerial surveillance is being maintained through drones and helicopters.
The gunfight comes days after the Bastar Police intensified anti-Maoist operations in the tri-junction area bordering Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Indravati National Park, while a protected wildlife area, has long served as a strategic Maoist stronghold due to its remoteness, lack of road connectivity, and proximity to the inter-state borders. Security forces have repeatedly attempted to establish a permanent presence in the area but often face stiff resistance from the insurgents.
Locals from nearby villages have reported hearing multiple rounds of gunfire and even explosions, indicating the use of IEDs. “It sounded like a war zone this morning. We are terrified and haven’t stepped out since,” said a villager from Bhopalpatnam block, speaking on condition of anonymity. The administration has advised villagers to stay indoors until further notice.
Senior officials, including the Chhattisgarh DGP and Bastar Range IG, are closely monitoring the developments. “This is a coordinated operation. We had credible information and our teams have been prepared accordingly. The situation is dynamic and unfolding,” an official said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has been briefed about the encounter and has asked for real-time updates. The government is ensuring that all logistical and medical support reaches the forces on the ground. The CM also reiterated the government’s commitment to rooting out extremism from the Bastar region through both security and development initiatives.
The encounter underscores the continuing challenge posed by the Maoist insurgency, even as the security forces claim a tightening grip over former red zones. It also raises concerns over the use of protected forest areas like Indravati as guerrilla bases, highlighting the complex intersection of insurgency, environmental conservation, and tribal livelihoods in Central India.
As night falls, the operation is expected to continue with added caution. Search operations will be intensified once the firing subsides, and only then will the actual toll of the encounter be known. The coming hours will be critical in determining whether the operation has successfully neutralized a major Maoist camp, or if the insurgents have once again managed to slip away under cover of darkness.
As the gunfight stretches beyond several hours, the atmosphere remains tense in and around the Indravati National Park. With communication lines partially disrupted due to the remoteness of the terrain, updates from the ground are trickling in slowly, adding to the anxiety among officials and families of the security personnel involved. Several helicopters are on standby at Jagdalpur and Bijapur to carry out medical evacuations once it is safe to land.
The forested interiors of Indravati have historically served as a strategic corridor for Maoist movement between the southern parts of Chhattisgarh and neighboring states. Over the years, the Maoists have used the dense foliage and hilly terrain to establish hidden camps, weapons storage sites, and even rudimentary training centers. The security forces believe the current operation may have struck one such installation, which could explain the intensity of the response from the Maoist side.
A key concern at the moment is the safety of the local tribal population that lives in small hamlets scattered across the buffer zone of the park. While officials claim that no civilian casualties have been reported, the threat of Maoists using villagers as human shields cannot be ruled out, especially during prolonged confrontations like this. Efforts are being made to maintain communication with village heads to ensure residents remain in safe zones and do not venture into conflict-prone areas.
Meanwhile, tension is also visible in the local police stations and district headquarters where teams are working round-the-clock to coordinate reinforcements, monitor aerial surveillance, and communicate with ground forces. Families of the jawans involved have gathered at the camps and are anxiously waiting for news. Counseling teams have been deployed to support them.
The Maoist leadership, especially in the Dandakaranya region, has been under considerable pressure due to continuous crackdowns, the killing of senior cadres, and the defection of lower-level fighters. Experts suggest that such a high-intensity gunfight could be an act of desperation or a preemptive attempt to defend a strategic asset in the forest interior.
Despite the risks, the government has repeatedly asserted its long-term vision to bring development and state presence into areas like Indravati. This includes road construction, establishment of security camps, health centers, and schools. However, Maoists have often sabotaged such projects, seeing them as threats to their control and influence.
Tonight, as drones buzz overhead and commandos remain on high alert, it is clear that the battle for control over Chhattisgarh’s forest heartland is far from over. The outcome of this encounter may have a significant bearing on the morale of both sides — and may potentially shift the security dynamics in the region.
Further statements from security officials are expected by morning, once the operation enters its next phase — combing the area for bodies, explosives, and evidence of Maoist activity. For now, the national park, ironically meant for the protection of wildlife, has once again become the center of a deadly manhunt.
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