As massive anti-Maoist ops enter 8th day, '100 IEDs recovered by forces'

Raipur: The massive anti-Naxalite operation in dense forests of Bijapur in Bastar division, entered its eighth day on Monday, with no major breakthrough in terms of Maoist casualties. But the operation involves over 24,000 state and central security forces recovering and defusing IEDs mined on hills of Karregutta by the Maoists.

Sources revealed that nearly 100 such bombs have been recovered so far.

On another front, the offensive has stirred political controversy as former Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), has criticized the operation and campaign in Chhattishgarh, claiming that innocent tribal civilians were being killed. He urged the Centre to immediately halt ‘Operation Kagaar' and advocated for dialogue with Maoists instead of ‘indiscriminate killings.'

KCR announced that he would send an official letter to the Union govt, proposing peace talks and accusing authorities of ‘destroying democracy' through brute force.

He further alleged that while Maoist groups had sent proposals for peace talks, the govt had shown no willingness to engage. "Problems must be solved through negotiations, not through annihilation," KCR said, adding that his party would pass a resolution to demand a halt to the ongoing campaign.

The largest anti-Maoist operation being carried out on the borders of Bijapur-Telangana involves security personnel from CRPF, DRG, STF, COBRA, and forces closing in on a major Naxal stronghold in the dense forests of Usoor, including the rugged terrains of Karregutta and Rajagutta.

The operation, marked by intense gun battles, IED neutralizations, and precision air strikes from helicopters, has so far led to the killing of three women Maoists, with recovery of weapons. Though the identification of the three women cadres is yet to be done, sources said that forces were facing sniper fire from Maoists hiding in mountainous terrain, but have responded fiercely.

Speaking to TOI, a senior police officer said, "Around 800 square kilometres area along Chhattisgarh -Telangana interstate border is the area of operation and more than 24,000 state and central forces were involved directly and indirectly. The objective is to clear the area from the hold of Maoists belonging to Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), Telangana State Committee (TSC), PLGA Battalion No 1, Central committee and other Naxal formations who have been using this area as a safe hideout to execute their nefarious plan against the innocent native population."

"It is the primary duty of the security forces to clear the area for any kind of threat to the native population," the officer said, adding that the operations would continue till the time the area is cleared of illegal and banned outfits of Maoists.