chhattisgarh-forces-gun-down-top-naxals-with-1-16-crore-bounty

Security forces in Chhattisgarh have dealt a significant blow to Naxal operations, neutralising two senior cadres carrying a combined bounty of Rs 1.16 crore during a gunbattle in the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district on Friday.

 

Vijay Reddy, a member of the Dandkaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) with a bounty of Rs 90 lakh, and Lokesh Salame, Secretary of the Rajnandgaon-Kanker Border (RKB) division with Rs 26 lakh on his head, were killed in a joint operation by the Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the 27th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

 

"The gunfight started at around 5 pm on August 13 when suspected Naxals started firing on seeing the security forces and lasted for about three hours," the ITBP said. Weapons and naxal-related materials, including an INSAS rifle, a .303 rifle, and a walkie-talkie, were recovered from the site.

 

Officials described the elimination of Reddy and Salame as a major blow to Naxal operations in the Dandkaranya region and along the Rajnandgaon-Kanker border. Both cadres had been active in North Bastar for decades and were involved in multiple civilian killings and ambushes on security personnel.

Also read: Two women Naxals killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

 

Vijay Reddy, 55, alias Chinanna, Naganna, and Shankar, was tracked across Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. His alleged involvement included the deadly 2009 ambush in Rajnandgaon that claimed the lives of Superintendent VK Chaube and 28 policemen.

 

Lokesh Salame, 35, had led the RKB division since January 2025, mobilising cadres across Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki. He played a key role in maintaining operational control in the region.

 

Superintendent of Police YP Singh and ITBP Commandant Vivek Kumar Pandey, briefing media at Mohla, said the encounter marks a turning point in counter-Naxal operations, adding, "With the elimination of these cadres, an era of LWE terror and atrocities has ended."

 

The area has seen sustained success under Operation ‘Prayas’, with previous operations leading to the killing, arrest, or surrender of multiple cadres, while over a dozen overground workers have been apprehended. Forces continue outreach efforts to encourage remaining Naxals to surrender.