Gariyaband (Chhattisgarh) [India], September 12 (ANI): Deepak Kumar, Commandant of the CRPF's 207 Battalion of CoBRA, on Friday said the elimination of 10 naxals in an encounter in Gariyaband district was the result of strong coordination between the Chhattisgarh Police and CoBRA battalion, despite the challenges posed by the terrain

The operation was carried out jointly by the 207 Battalion of CoBRA and the Chhattisgarh Police, who also recovered the bodies and weapons of the slain extremists, including a senior Naxal cadre, Manoj alias Balkrishna.

While speaking to ANI, Kumar said, 'There was very good coordination between Chhattisgarh Police and our CoBRA battalion. The area of operation had a tough terrain with steep ascent, but our jawans killed 10 Naxals. We will continue operations to eliminate remaining naxal cadres in Gariyaband.'

SP Gariaband Nikhil Rakhecha lauded the operation and appealed to the Naxals to surrender.

'This operation was going on for the last two days. A joint team of Gariaband E-30, CoBRA, STF and CRPF carried out this encounter. CC member Manoj was operating in this area. These 10 Naxals were carrying a total award of Rs 5.21 crore on their arrest. We appeal to the Naxals to surrender. The security forces did a great job,' the SP Gariaband told ANI.

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the elimination of 10 Naxalites in Chhattisgarh during a joint operation by CRPF's Cobra commandos, Chhattisgarh Police, and District Reserve Guard (DRG).

Shah further reiterated the Union Government's commitment to eradicate naxalism from Chhattigarh by March 31, 2026, stating that all the naxalites should surrender on time.

'Our security forces have achieved another major success against the Naxalites today. In Chhattisgarh, CRPF's Cobra commandos, Chhattisgarh Police, and DRG conducted a joint operation and eliminated 10 notorious Naxalites, including CCM Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj, who carried a bounty of 1 crore. The remaining Naxalites should surrender in time. The complete eradication of red terror is certain before March 31st,' Shah wrote on 'X'.

Recently, in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, 30 Naxals surrendered and were rehabilitated.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said the surrender and rehabilitation of 30 Naxals in Bijapur is the result of the state government's rehabilitation policy, the efforts of security forces, and ongoing development workHe also urged Naxals to join the mainstream and improve their lives.

Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, 'In Bijapur in the Bastar region, 30 Naxalites have been rehabilitated. This is one of the largest numbers so far. This is the result of the Chhattisgarh government's rehabilitation policy, the bravery of the jawans, and the government's development works. We repeatedly appeal to the Naxalites to join the mainstream and improve their lives...' (ANI)