Rise in Death Toll as Three More Naxalite Bodies Recovered in Chhattisgarh Encounter

The death toll in the Chhattisgarh encounter has climbed to 13 with the recovery of three additional bodies of Naxalites in Bijapur district. The fierce gun battle between security personnel and Naxalites on April 2 saw intensified search operations leading to the discovery. The bodies were found in a dense forest where the encounter ensued, adding to the ten previously recovered corpses.

Although the identities of the deceased Naxalites remain unconfirmed, preliminary assessments suggest they belonged to the PLGA company no. 2 of Maoists. The encounter, occurring between Lendra and Korcholi villages, saw a joint security team engaged in anti-Naxal operations. Seizures from the site included weaponry like a light machine gun, rifles, grenade launchers, and ammunition. The incident, situated in the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, underscores ongoing security challenges in the region ahead of the upcoming general elections.