Sukma, Chhattisgarh:
Three Maoists — including two senior women cadres — were killed on Sunday during a fierce encounter with security forces in the dense forests of Sukma district, a Maoist stronghold in south Chhattisgarh. The exchange of fire took place between the Bhejji and Chintagufa police station limits, in the Tumalpad area, after a District Reserve Guard (DRG) team launched a targeted anti-Maoist operation.
Intelligence-Based Operation
The operation was initiated early in the morning following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of Maoist cadres in the region. As the DRG personnel advanced into the hilly, forested terrain, Maoist operatives opened fire, prompting a strong retaliatory response. The gunbattle continued intermittently for a considerable period before the area was secured.
Three High-Value Cadres Neutralised
Police confirmed the identities of the three slain Maoists, all of whom carried a bounty of ₹5 lakh each:
- Madvi Deva — Jan Militia Commander and a member of the Konta Area Committee; also known to be a sniper specialist.
- Podiam Gangi — Commander of the Maoists’ cultural wing, Chetna Natya Mandli (CNM), within the Konta Area Committee.
- Sodhi Gangi — Area Committee Member from Kistaram.
Their deaths mark a significant setback for Maoist operations in the Konta and Kistaram zones.
Weapons and Explosives Seized
After the encounter, security personnel recovered a substantial cache of arms and explosives from the site, including:
- One .303 rifle
- Multiple Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGLs)
- Ammunition
- Other explosive materials
Authorities say the recoveries indicate the group was preparing for a major action.
Operation Continues in the Area
Senior police officials confirmed that search and combing operations are still underway in the adjoining forest patches to track any surviving Maoist cadres who may have fled during the encounter.
Rising Maoist Casualties in 2025
With this latest action, the total number of Maoists killed in encounters across Chhattisgarh in 2025 has risen to 262.
Of these, 233 fatalities occurred in the Bastar division, highlighting intensified counter-insurgency efforts in one of India’s most challenging conflict zones.
