CURATED BY – RAJIV KHARE | CITYCHIEFNEWS

Gariaband, A major operation that lasted for three days between security forces and Naxalites in the forests of Bhalu Diggi located in Kulhadi Ghat of Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh has ended. In this operation, security forces killed more than 20 Naxalites. The Naxalites killed include Central Committee Member (CCM) Balkrishna, who had a reward of Rs 1 crore, and his 25 companions.

The security forces got great success in this operation, but two soldiers were injured during the encounter. On January 20, a soldier of SOG (Special Operation Group) was airlifted to Raipur after being shot in the leg. While on January 21, another soldier of SOG Nuapada was injured, who was admitted to Raipur. Doctors have described the condition of both as normal. After the encounter, the security forces sent the bodies of 14 Naxalites to Raipur's Mekahara Hospital for postmortem. These include 6 women and 8 men.

Apart from Gariaband, Chhattisgarh's Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar and Narayanpur districts have been affected by Naxalite activities for a long time. The dense forests and inaccessible areas in these areas help the Naxalites to hide and make strategies. But after the Vishnudev government came to power in the state, the security forces' pressure is increasing continuously on the instructions of the Chief Minister and Home Minister and due to successful operations one after the other, panic is spreading among the Naxalites. Recently, 8 Naxalites have surrendered in Narayanpur district. Among those who surrendered, Kutul Area Committee's Intelligence Incharge Dilip Dhruva is also included.

On the success of the operation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the bravery of the security forces and said, "Naxalism is counting its last breaths in the country. The central and state governments are working hard to completely eradicate it." He wished for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai congratulated the security forces on the success of the operation. He said, "This success is a big step towards the elimination of Naxalites. The government is making every effort to ensure peace and development in Naxal-affected areas." The Gariaband operation has proved that Naxalism is now weakening. The killing of 27 Naxalites and the surrender of 8 shows that the strategy of the security forces and the rehabilitation plans of the government are becoming effective. The bravery of the injured soldiers and the strategy of the security forces have taken a big step towards making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free.