Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces and Naxals Along Sukma-Bijapur Border in Chhattisgarh

An encounter broke out on Wednesday in the forest along Sukma-Bijapur border. The development was confirmed by SP Sukma Kiran Chavan. District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and the Central Reserve Police Force's jungle warfare unit (CoBRA) teams are involved in the encounter, reported news agency ANI.

More details are still awaited.

Meanwhile, improvised explosive devices were detected and diffused in a joint operation by state police and CRPF 229 Battalion from Murdanda village under Police Station Awapalli in Bijapur district. Naxalites had prepared and planted 2 IEDs in empty beer bottles, said the police.

The gunfight erupted two days after after nine security personnel were killed in an IED blast in Bijapur district.

According to reports, Naxals blew up a vehicle carrying security force personnel on Monday afternoon.

IG Bastar had told new agency ANI, "Nine people - eight Dantewada DRG jawans and one driver, lost their lives after their vehicle was blown up by Naxals through an IED blast, in Bijapur. They were returning after a joint operation of Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur."

(with inputs from ANI)