Security forces launched the operation early Sunday after receiving strong intelligence inputs. A District Reserve Guard team moved into the forests of Tumalpad, where they spotted a group of armed Maoists. The gun battle began soon after, and the team pushed the rebels back with heavy fire.

Sukma SP Kiran Chavan confirmed that Deva and two women cadres fell during the encounter. The force recovered a .303 rifle, a Barrel Grenade Launcher, ammunition, and several Maoist documents from the site. The recovered items show how deeply Deva operated in the Konta Area Committee.

Deva led several brutal attacks and created fear among villagers for years. His elimination boosts the morale of security forces, who continue to strike Maoist networks across the Bastar region.

With this encounter, the total Maoists neutralised in Chhattisgarh this year has reached 262.

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