Bhubaneswar, Jan. 3 -- A major encounter between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh's southern Bastar region has resulted in the death of 14 Maoists on Saturday. The clash took place in the forests of Kistaram in Sukma district, where the District Reserve Guard (DRG) engaged with Naxal operatives.

Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chhavan confirmed that automatic weapons were recovered from the site, indicating that the Maoists were heavily armed.

Prior intelligence had indicated the presence of armed Maoists, prompting security forces to launch a search operation. A DRG team was deployed in the southern Bastar region, and intermittent firing began around 5 am. During the operation, two Maoists were confirmed killed, while t...