Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Maoist Violence in Bijapur and Saranda Forest
In two separate incidents in India, violence involving Maoists has occurred.
In Bijapur, a former village leader named Bhima Madkam was shot and killed by suspected Maoists while working in his farm.
The attack happened suddenly, and the attackers escaped into the forest.
The villagers are scared because this kind of violence used to happen more often in the past.
The police are investigating and have sent more security to the area to find those responsible.
The body will be examined on Wednesday, and then the final rites will be conducted.
This event shows that the threat from Maoist groups is still a problem in some parts of India.
Meanwhile, in Saranda Forest, a fierce gunfight between security forces and Maoists has been ongoing since Thursday morning.
Reports suggest that several Maoists have been killed, though official confirmation is still awaited.
The encounter started after Maoists allegedly opened fire on security forces in ambush.
Security forces have gained the upper hand, and several bodies, weapons, and ammunition have been recovered.
The area has been cordoned off, and additional forces have been deployed.
This incident marks the first encounter between security forces and Naxalites in 2026, highlighting the ongoing conflict in the region.
Former sarpanch Bhima Madkam was fatally shot by suspected Maoists in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh.
The attack occurred in his agricultural field at Kawargatta village, with villagers witnessing the incident.
Villagers assert Madkam had been targeted by Maoists in the past and was on their radar for years.
Due to the village's remoteness, the body was retrieved after nightfall, with a post-mortem scheduled for Wednesday.
Police have registered a case, launched an investigation, and deployed additional security forces in the area.
- Who
- Bhima Madkam (Bijapur), Security Forces and Maoists (Saranda)
- What
- Fatal shooting by suspected Maoists in Bijapur, fierce gunfight between security forces and Maoists in Saranda Forest
- When
- Bijapur: Tuesday; Saranda: Thursday morning
- Where
- Bijapur: Kawargatta village, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh; Saranda: Saranda forest, West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand
- Why
- Bijapur: Villagers assert Madkam had been on Maoists' radar for years; Saranda: Following specific intelligence inputs about Maoist presence
Security Forces
Maoists
Encounter in Saranda Forest
Security Forces
Security forces engaged in a fierce gunfight with Maoists, gaining the upper hand and recovering several bodies, weapons, and ammunition.
Maoists
Maoists allegedly opened fire on security forces in ambush, with reports suggesting several Maoists were killed.
- Victim in Bijapur
- Bhima Madkam
- Location of Bijapur Incident
- Kawargatta village, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh
- Date of Bijapur Incident
- Tuesday
- Time of Bijapur Attack
- While engaged in farm work
- Maoist Involvement in Bijapur
- Asserted by villagers
- Police Response in Bijapur
- Case registered, investigation launched, additional security deployed
- Post-Mortem in Bijapur
- Scheduled for Wednesday
- Location of Saranda Encounter
- Saranda forest, West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand
- Date of Saranda Encounter
- Thursday
- Casualties in Saranda
- Several Maoists reportedly killed, official confirmation awaited
- Top Maoist Killed
- A Maoist with a Rs 50 lakh bounty reportedly killed
- Operation Launch
- Following specific intelligence inputs about Maoist presence
- Security Forces Response
- Strong and effective retaliatory response, several hours of encounter
Sources
Maoist violence struck again, former Sarpanch gunned down in Bijapur
Maoists strike terror in Bijapur, former sarpanch brutally murdered
Maoists, security forces engage in fierce gunfight in Saranda Forest
8 Maoists killed in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum
Top Maoist leader with Rs 1 crore bounty among 15 killed in Jharkhand encounter