Maoist involved in Jan 2025 IED blast neutralised in Chhattisgarh

April 12, 2025

Raipur: Security forces in Bijapur district’s Indravati jungle, on Saturday claimed to have neutralised Anil Punem, a notorious Maoist commander linked to the January 2025 Ambeli village blast in which eight security personnel and a driver were killed.

Sources said that Punem was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. So far, the bodies of three uniformed Maoists have been recovered in the encounter.

The identity of the other two Maoists is being ascertained.

Three pieces of 12 bore Rifle, Single shot Rifles and other weapons, explosives, and Maoist-related material were recovered from the encounter site.

A joint team comprising DRG (district reserve guard) Bijapur, DRG Dantewada, STF (Special Task Force), and Cobra battalions engaged in a decisive encounter with the Maoist insurgents.

Three Maoists, including Punem, were killed, with the identities of two others being confirmed.

Weapons, explosives, and Maoist paraphernalia were recovered from the encounter site, including three rifles.

The security forces have launched operations of a sustained campaign against the outlawed CPI-Maoist group in the Bastar region, which has seen heightened insurgent activity.

In the past 102 days alone, security forces in Bijapur district have recovered 86 bodies of hardcore Maoists, arrested 173 individuals, and facilitated the surrender of 179 insurgents.

Across the Bastar Division, the number has climbed to 121 (Maoists who have been neutralised).

The operation is also a part of the ongoing mission to make India LWE-free by March 2026.