Maoist with ₹5 Lakh Bounty Killed in Encounter in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

Security forces in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district killed a Maoist, Rajesh Punem, carrying a ₹5 lakh bounty during an encounter triggered by intelligence on a weapons cache. The operation involved the District Reserve Guard and Bastar Fighters, facing fire from 8-10 Maoists who fled under cover of dense forest and darkness. Authorities recovered multiple weapons and ammunition. This marks at least the 26th Maoist killed in the state this year amid ongoing anti-Naxal operations.