“I congratulate soldiers”: Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel expresses happiness on Dantewada encounter

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 6 (ANI): Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel expressed his happiness after 31 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with police in the Maad area on the Narayanpur-Dantewada border and congratulated the security personnel.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, former Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel said, “According to media reports, dead bodies of 31 Naxalites have been recovered. The number is expected to rise. This is a big operation carried out by jawans. I congratulate them.”

Congress leader T.S. Singh Deo also termed the encounter as a ‘big success’, emphasising the need to ‘mainstream violent ideologies’ and work for the progress of the people.

“This is a big success…We have been hearing for some days that a target has been set to end Naxalism in Chhattisgarh by 31 December 2026. This is a good and big target, the sooner we mainstream violent ideologies and work for the progress, betterment and development of common people the better it will be, “Congress leader TS Singh Deo told ANI.

Meanwhile, the dead bodies of 31 Naxalites killed in the Maad area on the Narayanpur-Dantewada border have been kept in a mortuary and a search operation is underway in the encounter area.

A total of 31 bodies of Naxalites have been recovered so far in the encounter that took place on Saturday.

Police have confirmed that out of 31 Naxals killed on Friday, 18 were men and 13 were women.

“After the encounter, a total of 31 dead bodies have been recorded. Out of them, 18 are men and 13 are women…The detailed profiling work which is still going on will be looked into according to weapon recovery. 1 LMG weapon 4 AK47s, 6 SLRs and 3 INSAS. Its final detailing is still going on,” IG Sundarraj P said.

Police have also recovered weapons including AK-47s, SLRs and LMGs from the encounter spot.

According to the police, a heavy exchange of fire took place between security personnel and Naxalites in which 31 Naxals were killed after forces surrounded them in the forest.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his happiness and asserted that Naxalism will ‘end and peace will be established’ in Chhattisgarh.

Speaking to ANI, he said, “Our forces have achieved great success. 31 Naxals have been killed and this time our soldiers have broken the previous record of 29. Therefore, we congratulate our soldiers, salute their courage and certainly one day Naxalism will end here and peace will be established in Chhattisgarh.”

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will chair a meeting to review security and development in Left extremist-affected states on October 7.

Earlier this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that left-wing extremism would be completely eradicated from the country before March 2026.