Liberating the Red Zone: Forces make the big push in Maoist den
Security forces say the Maoists have never been so squeezed in Chhattisgarh's South Bastar.
It's the proverbial 'lull before the storm' deep in the forests of South Bastar as central paramilitary forces prepare for a major engagement with Maoist rebels. Five new camps, set up
Part of the reason the Maoists seem on the backfoot is the re jigged security forces strategy this year to continue the anti insurgency offensive through the monsoon months. "It is a result of this continued offensive that we now have an upper hand," says Chhattisgarh Special DG, Naxal Operations, Durgesh M. Awasthi, adding that the forces have been steadily gaining ground. Amid expectations of a big showdown, security officials say there is an equal chance the Maoists will "decide to disperse rather than engage". Deep inside rebel territory, it's an unpredictable war.
