THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Raipur, May 21: At least 26 Naxals were gunned down by security forces during a fierce encounter in the Abujhmad forest of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma confirmed on Wednesday.

The operation, part of a broader crackdown on insurgency, also left one jawan injured, though he is reported to be out of danger.

One member of the security team lost his life in the line of duty.
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Search operations are ongoing in the area to ensure complete sanitization of the region and to track any remaining insurgents.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao lauded the efforts of the security forces and reiterated the government’s goal of making the Bastar region Naxal-free by March 2026.

“Since we took office, a focused campaign has been underway to root out Naxalism from Bastar. This successful operation marks a significant step in that direction,” he said.