Raipur: Indian forces have killed a woman tribal leader in the disturbed state of Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred during a cordon-and-search operation in a forest along the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts, within the Bastar region, according to reports from Kashmir Media Service.

The woman, identified as Renuka, also known as Chaite or Saraswati, was a resident of Warangal district in Telangana. She was reportedly associated with the Communist Party of India (Maoist).

An officer involved in the operation stated that personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) participated in the mission, which commenced on Monday night. The officer alleged that Renuka held the position of media chief for the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, described as the strongest Maoist formation in the area.

This event brings the total number of tribal individuals killed in the state this year to 163. The Communist Party of India (Maoist) and various civil society groups have condemned the killings, calling for an international investigation. Maoist guerrillas have been engaged in a long-standing insurgency, seeking independence from Indian rule.

On Saturday, security forces killed 16 suspected Maoists in a gunfight in the state’s Sukma district.