Updated: Nov 16, 2025, 09:23 pm IST

Three Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in a forested area at Tumalpad in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday, police said.

The encounter occurred during an operation launched based on intelligence inputs about the movement of Maoists, Sukma Police Superintendent Kiran Chavan stated. The firefight continued intermittently, after which the bodies of three Maoists, including two women, were recovered. Authorities also seized a .303 rifle, barrel grenade launchers, other weapons, and explosives from the site.

The deceased were identified as Madvi Deva, Podiam Gangi, and Sodhi Gangi, each carrying a bounty of ₹5 lakh. Police said Deva was a sniper specialist allegedly involved in civilian killings. A search operation is ongoing in areas surrounding the encounter site.

Inspector General of Bastar range, Sundarraj Pattilingam, described the Maoist movement in the region as being in its “final stage” and urged cadres to surrender and join the government’s rehabilitation program.

Police said that 262 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh so far this year, while nearly 300 surrendered last month. In Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, top Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupathi, along with 60 others, laid down arms. The Union government has reiterated its goal of eliminating Maoist insurgency across the country by March 2026.