Maoists killed in Abujhmarh encounter carried 48L cash bounty

Time of India

19-07-2025

Raipur: The six Maoists killed in Abujhmarh on Friday included four women, a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and commander of PLGA Platoon No 01, who played a critical role in facilitating the movement of senior Maoist leaders and carried a cash bounty of Rs 48 lakh.
Six Maoists were killed during a fierce encounter in the dense forests of Pariya-Kakur in Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district of Bastar division.
The operation was conducted under the state-led "Marh Bachao Abhiyan" and part of the broader Operation Monsoon, has marked a significant achievement for Narayanpur Police and joint security forces, including DRG, STF, and BSF units.
Among the six Maoists killed were Rahul Punem alias Lachhu (38), DVCM, Commander, PLGA Platoon No.
01 from Sukma, Ungi Tati (24), Member from Jagargunda, Sukma, Manisha (25), Member from Sonpur, Narayanpur, Tati Meena alias Somari alias Chhoti (22), Member from Gangloor, Bijapur, Harish alias Kosa (25), Member from Pamed, Bijapur and Kudam Budhri (21), Member from Dhanora, Narayanpur.
Each carried an individual reward of Rs 8 lakh announced by the Chhattisgarh govt.
Police officials said that despite difficult terrain and heavy rains, security forces launched an intensive search operation based on specific intelligence inputs.
The offensive began on July 17 and involved DRG personnel from Narayanpur, Bastar, Kondagaon, and Kanker districts, supported by STF units and the 129th, 133rd, and 135th battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF).
On July 18, intermittent gunfire exchanges erupted between Maoist cadres and the advancing forces. The operation culminated in a major breakthrough with the recovery of six bodies and a cache of sophisticated weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, an SLR, a 12-bore gun, 11 BGL launchers, and 83 BGL shells.
Explosives, Maoist literature, and survival items were also seized from the site.
With this operation, the total number of Maoists neutralized in Bastar in 2025 has risen to 204.
Addressing the press at Police Line, Narayanpur, Inspector General (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said, "A determined and effective campaign is underway across Bastar against the banned CPI (Maoist). The neutralization of over 200 Maoists this year underscores the unwavering commitment of the police and security forces to restore peace and development."
Superintendent of Police, Narayanpur, Robinson Guria, added, "We are in a decisive phase of eliminating Naxalism from Bastar. Those still trapped in this hollow ideology must surrender and return to the mainstream. If not, they will meet the same fate."