Daijiworld Media Network - Sukma
Sukma, Jun 12: In a significant success for security forces battling left-wing extremism in Chhattisgarh, two senior Maoists were gunned down in an intense gunfight in the forested terrain of Dunampara Pusgunna, under Kukanar police station limits in Sukma district, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The slain Maoists were identified as Muchaki Baman, a commander in the Katekalyan Area Committee with a ?5 lakh bounty, and Anita Avalam, a senior cadre from the Bijapur region. Both were key operatives in the banned CPI (Maoist) organization. According to officials, Baman hailed from Chikpal village in Dantewada district, while Avalam was based out of Bijapur.
The operation was jointly carried out by personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and local police, following specific intelligence regarding Maoist movement linked to the Katekalyan Area Committee. Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan stated that the encounter began at around 2 p.m. and continued for several hours in the rugged hilly terrain.
Post-encounter, security personnel recovered the bodies of both Maoists, along with a substantial cache of arms and explosives, including one INSAS rifle, one Bharmar firearm, 17 rounds of INSAS ammunition, five 12-bore cartridges, four gelatin sticks, 10 detonators, a soap bomb, tiffin bomb, wire coils, safety fuses, and other Maoist materials.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range), Sundarraj P, said the operation was part of the broader “Sankalp: Naxal Mukt Bastar Mission,” aimed at eliminating Maoist presence from the Bastar region. He highlighted that between January 2024 and June 2025, security forces under the Bastar Division have neutralized 411 Maoists through consistent and coordinated efforts.
Forces involved in the mission include the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), CRPF, BSF, ITBP, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the Bastar Fighters.
IGP Sundarraj emphasized that the Maoist insurgency, which once spread fear across Bastar, is now fading into oblivion as the state pushes forward with development and peace initiatives. “Bastar is witnessing early signs of transformation. Our forces remain committed to rooting out the last remnants of the insurgency,” he said.
The successful operation serves as both a tactical victory and a symbolic blow to the Maoist network, reinforcing the government's resolve to establish lasting peace in one of India’s most conflict-affected regions.