Bastar Maoist Encounter: 18 Maoists Killed, 3 DRG Soldiers Martyred

December 4, 2025

New Delhi: The encounter with Maoists from the West Bastar Division on the Bijapur-Dantewada border, which began on Tuesday morning, continued for the second consecutive day. So far, the bodies of 18 Maoists have been recovered from the encounter site. The encounter began on Wednesday morning with the team of Maoist commander Vella. By late evening, security forces had killed 12 Maoists, including Vella, while three DRG soldiers were martyred. Subsequently, backup forces were sent to the encounter site.

Encounter Continued Throughout
Six more Maoists have been killed following the overnight encounter. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, LMGs, and .303 rifles, were recovered from the bodies of the 18 slain Maoists. The soldiers are returning to headquarters with these weapons. The formal identification process of the bodies of the slain Maoists is underway.

Three DRG soldiers sacrificed their lives
It should be noted that three DRG soldiers, Head Constable Monu Baddi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and Constable Ramesh Sodi, were martyred in this fierce encounter. The condition of the two injured soldiers is reported to be out of danger. Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Bijapur Police Lines is emotional. Police and administrative officials have arrived at the lines to pay their last respects to the martyred soldiers. Search operations are still ongoing in the area, and the entire area has been secured by deploying additional forces.

This area was once known as the Maoist capital.
The North Bastar Mad area has been the Maoist’s most secure stronghold. It has also been called their capital. The Indravati Tiger Reserve in West Bastar and the dense forests along the border have also long been safe havens for them. Now, amid the central government’s resolve to completely eliminate the Maoists by March 2026, a decisive offensive by the security forces has demolished the last Maoist stronghold.