Overview
- Security forces reported six fatalities after a two-day gunfight on January 17–18 in the forested hills of Bijapur’s National Park area under Bhopalpatnam and Farsegarh limits.
- Police identified the dead as DVCM Dilip Bedja, ACMs Madvi Kosa, Lakhi Madkam and Palo Podiam, and party members Juglo Banjam and Radha Metta.
- Recovered materiel included two AK-47s, an INSAS rifle, two .303 rifles, a carbine, a BGL launcher, grenades, explosives, cash, radios and other equipment.
- The joint operation was launched on specific intelligence by DRG, STF and CoBRA/CRPF units targeting National Park Area Committee cadres.
- Search and cordon operations continued on Monday, with officials specifically seeking senior leader Papa Rao in the Bijapur–Indravati National Park belt.