Naxalites Surrender Paves Way for Explosive Recovery in Chhattisgarh

In Chhattisgarh, the security forces' intensified efforts against Naxalite insurgency yielded significant results following a recent operation in Gariaband district. On Sunday, a gunfight with Naxals led to the surrender of four Maoists, who had a cumulative bounty of Rs 19 lakh on their heads. The subsequent tip-off from the surrendered individuals guided security forces to a cache of explosives.

The operation, carried out on Gobra road, led to the discovery of four BGL rounds, a hand grenade, 15 INSAS rounds, and a substantial amount of gelatin rods and detonators. Besides these, security personnel retrieved an SLR rifle magazine and Rs 16.50 lakh in cash. The Maoists had fled into the jungle after an initial exchange of gunfire.

Among the Naxals who surrendered were Deepak alias Bhima Mandavi, a Divisional Area Committee Member, and others who held key positions in the Maoist ranks. Influenced by the state's surrender and rehabilitation policy, they decided to lay down their arms. The police credited the rehabilitation drive as a motivator for these surrenders, which included the handover of an SLR rifle and a single-shot gun.

(With inputs from agencies.)