Indian forces kill 22 Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh

NEW DELHI: Indian forces killed 22 Maoist rebels in the central state of Chhattisgarh on Thursday. This clash is one of the deadliest in recent years as the government intensifies efforts to end the long-standing insurgency. More than 10,000 people have died since the "Naxalite" rebellion began decades ago. The rebels claim they are fighting for marginalized communities in resource-rich areas. In the same series of clashes, one Indian paramilitary soldier was also killed. Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister, announced the operation's results on social media. Police said the soldier died during an encounter early in the day in Bijapur district, where 18 rebels were killed. Four more were killed in a different fight nearby. Searches are ongoing at both battle sites, with security forces finding weapons and ammunition. Shah emphasized a strong government response against the Naxalites who refuse to surrender. In Bijapur, intense fighting began at dawn during a police operation near the Bijapur-Dantewada border. Tragically, this is when the DRG jawan lost his life. In another incident, two soldiers were injured by an explosive device but are now in stable condition. The Naxalite movement started in 1967 and was influenced by Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong. Shah has pledged to defeat the remaining rebels by March 2026. Last year, security operations resulted in around 287 rebel deaths, mainly in Chhattisgarh. So far this year, over 80 Maoists have been killed. The rebels seek land, jobs, and a fair share of the region's natural resources for local people. They have gained strength in rural communities, prompting the government to deploy thousands of troops in the “Red Corridor” area. The conflict has included severe attacks on government forces, including a roadside bomb that killed nine troops in January.