By Indian security forces killed at least 31 suspected Maoist rebels in a fierce battle in the forests of central India, police said Saturday, marking the deadliest clash in the ongoing insurgency this year.
The fighting erupted Friday when counterinsurgency troops cornered nearly 50 suspected rebels in the Abhujmaad forest along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts in Chhattisgarh state, said state police Inspector General Pattilingam Sundarraj.
“This operation, based on precise intelligence, lasted about nine hours,” Sundarraj told The Associated Press. “Search operations are continuing, and we’ve recovered several arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles.”
No casualties were reported among the security forces. The rebels, known as Naxalites, have not yet issued a statement on the encounter.
This clash underscores the persistent challenge posed by the Maoist insurgency, which has plagued parts of India since 1967. The rebels, inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, claim to fight for the rights of poor indigenous communities.
“The Maoist conflict reflects deep-rooted issues of economic disparity and social injustice,” said Dr. Nandini Sundar, a sociologist at Delhi University. “Military operations alone are unlikely to resolve these underlying problems.”
Chhattisgarh, despite its mineral wealth, remains one of India’s poorest states, creating conditions that rebels exploit to gain support among marginalized communities.
Authorities report that at least 171 militants have been killed in Chhattisgarh this year. The rebels have a history of violent attacks, including ambushing police, destroying government offices, and disrupting infrastructure.
apnews.com
