Four Maoists, including three women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense forests of Balaghat Saturday. The joint operation was carried out by Hawkforce, the district police, and the CRPF.
The encounter took place in the forested areas of Pachmadar and Katejhiriya. The forces continue to comb the area as part of an ongoing operation involving a large number of personnel. The operation was launched following inputs, about their movement, received last evening.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said that a substantial cache of arms, including a grenade launcher, a self-loading rifle (SLR), two .315 bore rifles, and other equipments were seized.
“Balaghat is the only Naxal-affected district in the state, and our police force has shown exceptional courage in dealing with this menace,” Yadav said. He said among the four Maoists killed, three were women.
The CM said the Maoists were planning a violent attack, which was averted. “Our forces acted decisively and eliminated all armed Naxalites before they could harm anyone… I congratulate the entire police force.”