On 20 October 2008, personnel of the 170th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force launched an operation against Maoists near Kongupalli village in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. When the troops moved closer to their target, Maoists in an ambush opened indiscriminate fire and detonated improvised explosive devices.
The attackers had occupied vantage heights and attempted to encircle the CRPF party. More than 200 Maoists took part in the attack. The CRPF personnel retaliated with determination, inflicted heavy losses and frustrated the attempt to overwhelm them.
The encounter continued for a prolonged period. The troops’ resistance forced the Maoists to abandon their plan and flee. Constable Matiur Rahman was among the 12 CRPF personnel who made the supreme sacrifice during the operation.
During a subsequent search, the troops recovered a Maoist’s body, a 12-bore gun, approximately 50 metres of wire, a milk container containing 2.5 kilograms of explosive material, and other incriminating items. Rahman is remembered among the personnel who gave their lives in the line of duty on 20 October 2008.
