Narayanpur: In a major anti-Maoist operation, at least five Maoists were killed during a fierce encounter with security forces in the dense forests of the Abujhmad region in Chhattisgarh Narayanpur district on Saturday.

The gunfight took place after security personnel received reports about the presence of Maoists in the area.

According to officials, a joint team of security forces launched a search operation early Saturday morning. Around 6 a.m., the forces came under heavy fire, leading to an intense gunfight that lasted nearly five hours.

Statement Of One Of The Jawans

One of the jawan, part of the searching team, said that approximately 20 Maoists were present there, with at least five of them killed during the encounter.

“We were a team of 1,439 personnel deployed in the search operation. The encounter lasted until around 11 a.m., during which several Maoists were also injured. I came back but the search operation is still going on to capture the remaining Maoists,” he said.

2 Security Personnel Injured

During the operation, two security personnel sustained injuries. One of them, identified as Khileshwar Gawade, suffered bullet wounds in the head and right hand, while the other, Hiraman Yadav, was hit in the thigh. Both injured personnel were immediately evacuated and airlifted to Raipur for further medical treatment. Officials have assured that their condition is stable.

Security personnel have so far recovered the bodies of five Maoists, along with some weapons. The process of identifying the dead Maoists is underway.

About Abujhmad Region

The Abujhmad region, which borders Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, is known for being a hotbed of Maoist activity. Just last month, security forces achieved an important victory by neutralising 31 Maoists in one of the most successful operations in Chhattisgarh’s history.

On the rising success of such operations, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P., had, last week said that a total of 192 Maoists have been killed this year alone. Authorities believe that sustained pressure from security forces is gradually weakening the insurgents’ grip in the region.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for his five-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana. He will be on his three-nation tour from November 16 to 21, where he will be attending the G20 Summit in Brazil.

In his departure statement ahead of his visit, PM Modi stated that he would be first visiting Nigeria at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a focus on reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations. The Prime Minister will also be meeting with the Indian community in Nigeria during his visit. He will be there in the African nation from November 16 to 17.

“At the invitation of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in the West African region. My visit will be an opportunity to build upon our Strategic Partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism. I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi,” the statement read.

About PM Modi’s Visit To Brazil

Following this, he will be travelling to Brazil to attend the 19th G20 Summit as a member of the Troika. PM Modi stated that after India’s successful presidency in the G20 Summit last year, Brazil is expected to continue efforts to advance the Global South’s priorities. He will be there in the South American nation from November 18 to 19.

“In Brazil, I will attend the 19th G-20 Summit as a Troika member. Last year, India’s successful presidency elevated the G-20 to people’s G-20 and mainstreamed the priorities of the Global South into its agenda. This year, Brazil has built upon India’s legacy. I look forward to meaningful discussions in keeping with our vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” I will also use the opportunity to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation with several other leaders,” the statement added.

About PM Modi’s Visit To Guyana

In the final leg of the trip, PM Modi will be going to Guyana, at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. This marks the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in over 50 years.

In addition, the Prime Minister will attend the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, where he will meet with leaders from the Caribbean nations to renew historical ties and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation.

“My visit to Guyana, at the invitation of H.E. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture, and values. I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy as I address their Parliament,” the statement read.

“During this visit, I will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. We have stood together through thick and thin. The Summit will enable us to renew historical ties and expand our cooperation into new domains,” it added.

During his visit to Guyana, PM Modi will receive the highest national award from the Commonwealth of Dominica. The Caribbean nation will bestow the Dominica Award of Honour, on PM Narendra Modi, in recognition of his contributions to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the partnership between India and Dominica.

Guwahati: Students, the ruling BJP, and the Women and Child Commissions have all called for the release of six abducted members of a family, taken by militants on Thursday.

According to reports, the victims were kidnapped by members of the Kuki militant group at approximately 2:45 p.m. following a violent attack on CRPF personnel stationed in Jakuradhor Karong, Jiribam district. The missing individuals include an 8-year-old girl, two young boys, a 25-year-old woman, and two elderly women.

During the attack, the assailants also set fire to multiple Meitei homes and shops, resulting in the deaths of two elderly Meitei individuals.

In response, students across Manipur marked Children’s Day as “Black Children’s Day,” holding protests demanding the safe release of the kidnapped family members, including a 10-month-old infant. Protestors carried placards with messages such as, “No Children’s Day until the captured children are released,” “Black Children’s Day,” and “Mr. CM, we demand the release of the victims as a Children’s Day gift.” The crowd chanted slogans emphasizing the urgent need for the release of the abducted individuals.

A student protester expressed the collective grief, stating that celebrating Children’s Day felt hollow given the tragic situation. “We are all in shock and deeply saddened by this act of violence against innocent children and women. The government must take immediate steps to secure their release,” they stated.

The protest was organized by the student wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which also criticized the government for failing to secure the release of the hostages.

The Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) and the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) jointly condemned the abduction of three minors and three women from Jiribam district on November 11, 2024. In a series of appeals, both commissions urged the immediate and safe release of the victims, highlighting the humanitarian urgency.

MSCW Chairperson Thumlip Tiningpham Monsang issued a statement expressing deep concern for the abducted civilians’ safety. “We strongly condemn the abduction and appeal for their immediate release on humanitarian grounds,” said Monsang. “Women and children must be spared from such violence, and their dignity and safety should be upheld under all circumstances.”

In a similar appeal, MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian laws, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Manipur BJP President Sharda Devi on Thursday also called for the immediate release of the abducted family members. She described the abduction of the three women and three children from Borobekra and Jakuradhor in Jiribam as “unfortunate” and demanded their release on humanitarian grounds.

“We demand the immediate release of the abducted six family members without harm, on humanitarian grounds. We, from the BJP, appeal to the armed miscreants for their release,” Sharda Devi stated during a press briefing at the BJP office.