Security forces killed 27 Naxalites in a major gunfight in Abhujmad, Chhattisgarh, at the tri-junction of Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts. One District Reserve Guard (DRG) member was killed, and several personnel sustained injuries but are stable.
Sources suggest that Nambala Keshava Rao (Basavaraju), CPI (Maoist) general secretary, was among the dead, though official confirmation is awaited. The operation, involving DRG teams from four districts, was based on specific intelligence regarding Maoist leadership presence.
This marks one of the most significant anti-Naxal actions in recent years, bringing the total Naxal casualties in Chhattisgarh this year to 200, including 183 in Bastar. Search operations in the dense forest are ongoing.