SAA event in Chhattisgarh, Kistaram, Sukma District area, India on Sat 3rd January 2026

12 Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were killed in an encounter in the Kistaram area in Sukma District in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh on January 3 (today), reports NDTV. Security Forces (SFs) were carrying out a search operation based on specific intelligence inputs and as the team moved through the forest, they came under fire from Maoists, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. Among those killed is believed to be Sachin Mangdu of the Konta Area Committee, a senior Maoist leader, responsible for the killing of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Girepunje in Konta was killed in this encounter. Also, several DVCM (Divisional Committee Member) cadre Maoists were present at the site, indicating that this was a high-level Maoist meeting or movement when the forces struck. Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan said the formal identification of the Maoists will be possible only after the search team returns from the forest. SFs have recovered AK-47 and INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifles from the encounter site.