Bijapur: An encounter broke out between Maoists and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) commandos of CRPF in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur near Sukma border and one head constable sustained injuries in the attack. A joint team of CoBRA 210 battalion, Special Task Force (STF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel were out on a search operation when they were ambushed.

According to reports, an encounter is ongoing in the Mokur area of the Sarkeguda Silger section. There has been no official confirmation of any kind of casualty or loss following the gunfight. Security forces in areas along the Bijapur-Sukma district border maintain maximum vigil as they anticipate attacks by rebel groups. Taking advantage of weather and terrain in these months, Maoists launch their annual Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) against forces.

The outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) had made a key strategic change and advanced its annual TCOC campaign, where rebels carry out maximum attacks against security forces, to two phases every year January to March and April to June.