2024 Kanker clash explained

Partof:the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency
Date:16 April 2024
Place:Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, India
Result:Security Force victory
  • Maoist activity greatly suppressed
Combatant1: Communist Party of India (Maoist)
Combatant2: India
Commander1:Shankar Rao
Vinod Gawde
Lalitha[1]
Commander2:Unknown
Units1:Unknown
Units2:Border Security Force
District Reserve Guard
Strength1:29+
Strength2:Unknown
Casualties1:29 killed[2]
Casualties2:3 injured[3]

The 2024 Kanker clash was an encounter between Maoist cadres of Communist Party of India (Maoist) and Indian security forces in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. It was one of deadliest encounters for the rebels in the insurgency.[4]

Background

Anti-maoists operations were ongoing in the area regarding 2024 Indian general election, as Maoists have boycotted the elections and threatened to attack polling stations.[5]

Attack

The units of Border Security Forces and District Reserve Guards were patrolling forest near Binagunda village of Kanker district, when they came under heavy fire from the Maoists. After a heavy exchange of gunfire, security Forces recovered bodies of 29 Maoists along with, twenty-two weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, two INSAS rifles, one Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), one carbine, three .303 rifles, two .315 bore rifles, two 9MM pistols, two country-made launchers, eight muzzle loading guns, one country-made hand grenade and a huge cache of ammunitions were recovered from the encounter site. Security forces suffered with 3 injured personnel which are non-life-threatening.[6]

Aftermath

The encounter is considered one of the most successful anti-naxal operations in years. In 2024, the operations by security forces has resulted in killing of about 68 Maoists. The encounter can also be considered a major political victory for the government as elections was just 3 days ahead of the operation.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: 3 'Senior Commanders' Among 29 Maoists Killed In Bastar. 2024-04-17. Times of India.
  2. News: Top Maoist Leader Among At Least 29 Killed In Big Chhattisgarh Encounter. 2024-04-16. NDTV.
  3. News: Top Maoist Leader Among At Least 29 Killed In Big Chhattisgarh Encounter. 2024-04-16. NDTV.
  4. News: Top Maoist Leader Among At Least 29 Killed In Big Chhattisgarh Encounter. 2024-04-16. NDTV.
  5. News: Bastar encounter: 29 Maoists killed in massive operation by security forces days before Lok Sabha polls. 2024-04-16. Financial express.
  6. News: Top Maoist Leader Among At Least 29 Killed In Big Chhattisgarh Encounter. 2024-04-16. NDTV.
  7. News: 29 Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Bastar’s Kanker. 2024-04-16. Hindustan Times.