August 13th 2025.
In a significant development in the ongoing fight against Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh, security forces have successfully neutralised two high-ranking Maoist leaders, Vijay Reddy and Lokesh Salame, in a fierce gunfight in the forested region of "Banda Pahad". This operation, which took place near the Kanker border, is being seen as a major victory in the state's intensified efforts to root out left-wing extremism.
According to Superintendent of Police Yashpal Singh, the operation was carried out based on specific intelligence about the presence of these Maoist leaders in the area. A joint team comprising the District Police, District Reserve Guard, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police surrounded the forest zone on Wednesday evening, and a firefight ensued when the Maoists opened fire. The security forces responded with equal force, and after a prolonged exchange of gunfire, both Reddy and Salame were neutralised. Upon securing the area, the forces recovered the bodies of the two Maoist leaders, along with weapons and other materials used by the insurgents. The search for any other bodies in the area is still ongoing.
Reddy, who was 55 years old and originally from Andhra Pradesh, was a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee and had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head. Salame, a 40-year-old resident of Rajnandgaon district, was a divisional committee head with a reward of Rs 10 lakh. Both these leaders were instrumental in carrying out numerous attacks in the Rajnandgaon-Kanker-Border division over the years, causing fear among the villagers in the Manpur, Madanwada, and Sitagaon police station areas.
The forest zone where the encounter took place has long been a strategic stronghold for Maoist activities, including training camps and weapons caches. It is also known to be frequented by Company No. 5 of the CPI, making it a safe haven for top commanders. This operation is part of a larger campaign that has resulted in the neutralisation of 229 Maoists in Chhattisgarh this year alone, with 208 of them belonging to the Bastar division.
Despite facing challenging terrain and heavy monsoon rains, the security forces are determined to continue their efforts to dismantle the Maoist network and bring peace to the region. This successful operation serves as a testament to their dedication and bravery in the face of such a daunting task.
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