Dantewada, 05 March (H.S.):

Security forces gunned down Rajesh Punem, a top Maoist commander with a ₹5 lakh bounty, during an intense firefight in the dense forest between Gumlanar, Girsapara, and Nelgoda under Geedam police station limits.

The clash erupted around 9 PM on March 3 when a joint DRG and Bastar Fighters team, led by Deputy SP (Naxal Ops) Rahul Kumar Uike, encountered 8-10 Bhairamgarh Area Committee militants acting on intelligence about Naxal activities.

A subsequent search yielded Punem's body—identified via surrendered cadre intel—along with an SLR rifle, INSAS rifle, pistol, substantial ammunition, and Naxal gear; Punem hailed from Burji village, Gangalur PS, Bijapur.

SP Gaurav Rai confirmed the operation Thursday, noting all personnel returned safely after cautious sweeps for IEDs, dealing a blow to Maoist operations in the Bastar region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar