The 170th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force was operating against Maoists near Kongupalli village in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, on 20 October 2008. As the troops moved closer to their target, Maoists waiting in ambush opened indiscriminate fire and detonated improvised explosive devices.
The attackers occupied advantageous high ground and attempted to encircle the CRPF party. More than 200 Maoists took part in the assault. The CRPF personnel fought back, inflicted heavy losses and resisted the attempt to overwhelm them.
The prolonged encounter ended with the Maoists abandoning their plan and fleeing. Constable V. Eswarriiah was among the 12 personnel of the 170th Battalion who made the supreme sacrifice during the operation.
During a subsequent search, 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. Eswarriiah is remembered among the CRPF personnel who gave their lives during the operation on 20 October 2008.
