Fri Jan 17 06:20:54 UTC 2025: ## Indian Security Forces Kill at Least 12 Maoist Rebels in Chhattisgarh
**Raipur, Chhattisgarh –** Indian security forces have killed at least 12 Maoist rebels in a major operation in Chhattisgarh state, a stronghold of the decades-long insurgency. The operation, involving approximately 3,000 personnel, took place Thursday and Friday in the forested areas of Bijapur district. While police officials confirmed 12 deaths, other reports suggest the toll may be as high as 17.
The clash is the latest in a series of escalating encounters between security forces and Maoist rebels. Last week, three rebels, including a suspected explosives expert, were killed in a separate operation in Sukma district. Government data indicates that over 200 rebels have been killed in the past year, primarily in Chhattisgarh.
The Maoist insurgency, which claims to fight for the rights of marginalized indigenous communities, has claimed over 10,000 lives over the decades. Recent months have witnessed a surge in violence, including a roadside bomb attack that killed nine security personnel earlier this month. The Indian government, under Interior Minister Amit Shah, has vowed to crush the rebellion by 2026 and has intensified its crackdown. However, the conflict continues to pose a significant challenge to security forces.
First Piper 