Bijapur: Following the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, which also witnessed a Maoist attack, a Naxalite met his end during an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, as confirmed by a senior police official.

The clash occurred near Keshkutul village under the Bhairamgarh police station area around 5:30 in the morning, when a team from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was engaged in an anti-Naxal operation.

Acting on intelligence regarding the presence of Kawasi Pandaru, a commander of a division supply team of Maoists, along with 15-20 other members in the Keshkutul-Keshmundi forests about 400 km from the state capital Raipur, the operation was initiated.

Upon cessation of the gunfire, a Naxalite’s body, a weapon, and explosives were discovered at the scene, with an ongoing search operation in progress. Confirming the encounter, Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav stated, “The encounter is ongoing, and detailed information will follow upon the soldiers’ return.”

This incident marks the 80th Naxalite fatality this year in various encounters with security forces in the Bastar region, including Bijapur. Additionally, on April 26, another significant clash ensued between security forces and Naxalites in the Chhotabethiya area of Kanker, resulting in the demise of 29 Naxalites.