RAIPUR: In a significant victory against Naxal insurgents, security forces engaged in a fierce exchange of fire with Maoists in the dense forests of Mangnar under the Barsoor police station area. The
encounter resulted in the neutralisation of 31-yr-old Ratan Kashyap alias Salam, a resident of Gothiya under Malewahi police station area of Bastar, and a notorious Todma Militia Platoon Deputy Commander and Amdai Area Committee Member, who had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head.
The operation, conducted jointly by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters (BFR) Dantewada, and CRPF 195 Battalion Young Platoon (YP), was initiated based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of 10-15 armed Maoists in the Amdai Area Committee.
During the intense firefight, Ratan Kashyap alias Salam, aged 31 and a resident of Ghotiya, police station Malewahi, district Bastar, was successfully eliminated. The Maoist leader had been implicated in various criminal activities, including an IED explosion in 2020 in the Mardum area of district Bastar, resulting in the tragic loss of two police personnel. Additionally, he was linked to the murder of a police officer in the same year, with a case registered at the Mardum police station.
Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai confirmed the successful operation and highlighted Ratan Kashyap's involvement in heinous crimes. The deceased Maoist had a long list of charges against him, including murder, attempted murder, violations of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and multiple offenses in nine different cases across police stations in Malewahi, Barsoor, Dantewada, and Mardum.
The Chhattisgarh government had previously announced a bounty of Rs 5.00 lakh on Ratan Kashyap, and the Superintendent of Police, Dantewada, had offered a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to his arrest.
The search operation in the area is ongoing, and further details are expected upon the return of the joint security forces team. The successful neutralization of Ratan Kashyap marks a significant blow to Naxal activities in the region, enhancing the efforts of law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and security.