Indian troops eliminate 31 suspected Maoist rebels

Indian troops killed at least 31 suspected Maoist rebels in a fierce nine-hour battle in the Abhujmaad forest of Chhattisgarh state. The clash, which took place on Friday, erupted after troops acting on intelligence cornered nearly 50 rebels along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts.

Inspector General of Police Pattilingam Sundarraj confirmed the operation had been initiated on Thursday, leading to intense fighting with the suspected insurgents. “Search operations are continuing in the area,” he reported, noting that troops recovered several arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles. Remarkably, there were no reported casualties among the Indian forces.

The Maoist insurgency, which began in 1967, has long plagued several central and northern Indian states. These militants, known as Naxalites, advocate for the rights of poor indigenous communities, demanding better access to jobs, land, and natural resources. Their ideology is rooted in the teachings of Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.

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Years of neglect have marginalized many local villagers, creating an environment ripe for recruitment by the rebels. The Maoists, who communicate in local tribal languages, have positioned themselves as champions of the people, promising to fight for a better future in one of India’s poorest states despite its vast mineral wealth.

Authorities report that at least 171 militants have been killed in Chhattisgarh so far this year, with Friday’s encounter marking the deadliest clash to date. In a similar operation in April, government forces eliminated 29 suspected rebels just days before the national election.

The ongoing conflict is marked by a series of violent actions from the insurgents, including ambushes on police, destruction of government properties, abduction of officials, and sabotage of infrastructure, such as blowing up train tracks. As Indian authorities continue to combat this enduring insurgency, the cycle of violence shows little sign of abating.