Team News Riveting
Jagdalpur, July 11
Security forces struck a pocket in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh that was considered to be the safest sanctuary of Maoists and destroyed two major camps.
Acting on a tip off about the presence of Maoists, the security forces launched an operation in the hills of Gogunda, Simel, Tummapad, Gattapad and Toyapara. Over 80 to 100 heavily armed Maoists from Kerlapal Area Committee, Malangir Area Committee, Katekalyan Area Committee of Darbha division and Platoon no. 24, 26 were reportedly present in the area.
The pocket where the operation continued for over 48 hours straddles between Sukma and Dantewada district. Besides the jawans from the CRPF’s elite CoBRA battalion, personnel from the Chhattisgarh police’s Special Task Force (STF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) participated in the operation. The DRG jawan from Dantewada district also joined the team from Sukma district.
During the search, which was conducted under the direction of Bastar Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P, the security personnel established contact with the rebels in the hills of Simel. According to police officials, a group of 30 to 40 rebels opened indiscriminate firing at the troop with an arm to inflict casualty and loot the arms and ammunition. The security personnel gave a befitting reply.
Sensing the security forces dominating, the rebels fled taking cover of dense forest. The officials said during the search operation launched after the encounter, two big Maoist camps were located between Simel and Tummapad. The jawans destroyed both the camps and recovered a huge quantity of materials of daily use.
Besides, Maoist uniforms, pittu, utensils, solar plates, polythene, large jerrycans, medicines and a large quantity of daily use items were recovered from the spot. The rebels had planted four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area to target the troop. The forces successfully diffused the bombs.
