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Balaghat/Raipur, Nov 19 (IANS) In a tragic setback during the intensive anti-Naxal operation, Madhya Pradesh’s elite Hawk Force Inspector Ashish Sharma (40) was killed in a fierce encounter with Maoists on the Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border on Wednesday.
This encounter took place in the dense forests near Kauhapani under Bortalab police station area of Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. A joint team of Madhya Pradesh Hawk Force and Chhattisgarh Police was conducting a search and destroy operation when the Maoists suddenly ambushed them at around 7 am.
According to police officials, the Maoists fired indiscriminately from high places. The security personnel immediately retaliated, leading to a fierce encounter that lasted for several hours.
Inspector Ashish Sharma was hit by several bullets during the firing. He was taken to a hospital in nearby Dongargarh, where doctors declared him brought dead.
A native of Balaghat district, Sharma was a distinguished officer who had earned two gallantry medals for extraordinary courage in anti-Naxal operations. She played a key role in the encounter in the trampled forests of Balaghat in February 2025, where three dreaded female bounty hunters were killed. His frequent promotions reflect his excellent field record.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav expressed deep grief and announced that Inspector Sharma will be given a state funeral with full honours. “Ashish Sharma was a brave son of Madhya Pradesh who laid down his life fighting Left Wing Extremism. His sacrifice will not go in vain,” the CM posted on Twitter.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also paid tribute and said that the joint operation has been intensified after the attack.
Additional companies of CRPF and DRG have been deployed and search operations are underway in the entire tri-junction area. This is the second major incident in the area within 48 hours after 14 Naxalites, including top commander Madvi Hidma, were killed in separate encounters on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border.
Security sources say the ambush was carried out by remnants of the Malajkhand-Tirodi Platoon of the CPI (Maoist), demoralized by recent losses. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and Maoist literature has so far been recovered from the encounter site.
Inspector Ashish Sharma is survived by his wife and two minor children.
–IANS
SKTR/UK