Kanker: Summer conditions, rough terrain and unavailability of potable water were some of the challenges security personnel faced during the encounter with Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district. A police office gave this information on Wednesday.
But their hard work and struggle did not go in vain as 29 Naxalites were killed in the operation near Binagunda village under Chhotabethiya police station limits, he said.
Around 200 personnel of the state police's District Reserve Guard and Borde Security Force were involved in the operation on Tuesday.
Apart from the weather, the terrain made the operation difficult, said Pakhanju police station house officer (SHO) Laxman Kevat, one of the officers who led the forces during the encounter.Speaking to Kevat, Kevat said, "The hot weather conditions and dehydration posed a big challenge. Climbing the hill with weapons and rucksack in such weather was a tough task, but the security personnel were very motivated. They cordoned off the entire area , after which the operation was successful.
"Another risk was being exposed, as dry forests in summer provide good visibility. This is why the Naxalites observe their strategic offensive operations and increase their activities between March and June...This good visibility This is due to the otherwise dense forests during this period, he said.
When they crossed the Kotri river at Maoist stronghold Abhujmad, they knew that the operation could not be called a success unless they returned safely.Therefore, after the guns fell silent, the security personnel returned with the bodies of the killed Maoists without wasting any time and did not give time to their colleagues to retaliate or set up an ambush in large numbers, the officer said.
A total of 22 weapons, including two INSAS rifles, one AK-47 rifle and a self-loading rifle (SLR), were recovered from the encounter site, he said.
According to Kevat, who was involved in many encounters, the number of Naxalites killed could be higher.
The operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of Shankar Rao Lalita and Rupi of the North Bastar Division Committee of Maoists, who were apparently planning to create disruption during the Lok Sabha elections, he said.
Voting will be held in the first phase in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency on April 19. Kanker constituency, part of the larger Bastar region, will go to polls in the second phase on April 26.
But their hard work and struggle did not go in vain as 29 Naxalites were killed in the operation near Binagunda village under Chhotabethiya police station limits, he said.
Around 200 personnel of the state police's District Reserve Guard and Borde Security Force were involved in the operation on Tuesday.
Apart from the weather, the terrain made the operation difficult, said Pakhanju police station house officer (SHO) Laxman Kevat, one of the officers who led the forces during the encounter.Speaking to Kevat, Kevat said, "The hot weather conditions and dehydration posed a big challenge. Climbing the hill with weapons and rucksack in such weather was a tough task, but the security personnel were very motivated. They cordoned off the entire area , after which the operation was successful.
"Another risk was being exposed, as dry forests in summer provide good visibility. This is why the Naxalites observe their strategic offensive operations and increase their activities between March and June...This good visibility This is due to the otherwise dense forests during this period, he said.
When they crossed the Kotri river at Maoist stronghold Abhujmad, they knew that the operation could not be called a success unless they returned safely.Therefore, after the guns fell silent, the security personnel returned with the bodies of the killed Maoists without wasting any time and did not give time to their colleagues to retaliate or set up an ambush in large numbers, the officer said.
A total of 22 weapons, including two INSAS rifles, one AK-47 rifle and a self-loading rifle (SLR), were recovered from the encounter site, he said.
According to Kevat, who was involved in many encounters, the number of Naxalites killed could be higher.
The operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of Shankar Rao Lalita and Rupi of the North Bastar Division Committee of Maoists, who were apparently planning to create disruption during the Lok Sabha elections, he said.
Voting will be held in the first phase in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency on April 19. Kanker constituency, part of the larger Bastar region, will go to polls in the second phase on April 26.
