Mumbai/Bhubaneswar, Aug 27: In a high-intensity operation near the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border, security forces engaged in a fierce gunbattle with Maoist insurgents, resulting in the death of four Maoists, including three women.

The encounter took place in the dense forest region of Koparshi, located between Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and Narayanpur district in Chhattisgarh.

The joint operation, launched on August 25, was carried out by Gadchiroli Police, the elite C-60 commando unit, Quick Action Team (QAT), and personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Acting on intelligence reports about the presence of Maoists from the Gatta Dalam and Company No. 10, the forces initiated a combing operation that culminated in the deadly exchange of fire.

Security forces recovered a significant cache of weapons from the site, including SLRs, INSAS rifles, and .303 rifles, along with a large quantity of Maoist materials. The operation marks a major success in the ongoing anti-Maoist campaign in the region, which has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity.

This encounter underscores the continued efforts of Indian security forces to dismantle Maoist networks and restore peace in insurgency-affected regions.