16 dead, 2 jawans injured in encounter between security forces, Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma

At least 16 Naxalites were killed, and two security personnel sustained injuries in an encounter that broke out between security personnel and Naxalites in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday morning, police said.

“Bodies of 16 Naxal bodies have been recovered. Two jawans sustained minor injuries,” Bastar IG, Sundarraj told news agency ANI.

He said personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were involved in the operation launched on Friday night based on inputs about the presence of Maoists in the Kerlapal area.

Following the encounter, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating armed Naxalism.

He said, "The resolve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to eliminate armed Naxalism from the country by March 2026, and our security forces are working in the same direction. The bravery and courage with which our security forces are working, we will eliminate Naxalism in the given time."

Earlier, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan confirmed the recovery of 16 Naxal bodies from the site and said, “Two of our jawans sustained injuries during the operation and are being evacuated for medical attention.”

He said that security forces also seized a large cache of sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), and INSAS rifles from the area.

"This can be called as one of the biggest encounters Sukma has seen to date," SP Chavan added.

The official said that the identities of the slain Naxals are yet to be ascertained.

(With inputs from ANI)