Other MoA event in Chhatisgargh, Dantewada District area, India on Tue 3rd March 2026

Security Forces (SFs), engaged in a fierce encounter with Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), have neutralised an armed Maoist cadre in dense forest-mountain terrain along the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Dantewada District in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh on March 3, reports The Assam Tribune. The slain Maoist was identified as Rajesh Punem, an ‘area committee member (ACM)’ of the Bhairamgarh Area Committee, who carried a government reward of INR 500,000. The body and recovered materials were safely transported back to Dantewada District headquarters following cautious tactical movement to guard against possible Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or further ambushes, with road opening parties and area domination measures in place, the officials said. The operation started on March 3 after Police received reliable intelligence inputs about a hidden dump of weapons and 'Naxalite' materials in the hilly area between Gumlanar, Girsapara, and Nelgoda villages under Geedam Police Station area.