NIA files a chargesheet against six more Naxals in 2021 Bijapur attack case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed charges against six additional naxals on Wednesday in connection with the 2021 Bijapur attack, which claimed the lives of twenty-two security personnel.

Manoj Podiyami aka Masa, Mula Devender Reddy aka Masa Dada, Vijja Hemla, Kesha Sodi aka Malla, Mallesh aka Mallesh Kunjam and Sonu aka Dodi Sonu were named in the chargesheet under various sections of UA(P) Act 1967, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and the IPC. The central agency filed a chargesheet at the NIA Special Court at Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.

According to the NIA, 46 defendants have been charged with crimes thus far in this case. The anti-terror agency had previously filed a Supplementary Chargesheet against 17 additional individuals in July 2023 after filing its original Chargesheet against 23 accused parties in December of last year. The case had been registered on June 5, 2021.

When combined teams of DRG, COBRA, and CRPF were conducting search operations against the Maoist cadres near Tekalgudiyam village, Tarrem, the Maoist cadres had earlier launched the horrific assault in 2021 Bijapur attack using automatic weapons and barrel grenade launchers (BGL). In addition to robbing one COBRA soldier during the attack—who was subsequently freed—the accused had also stolen weapons from the SOC.

The central agency said that an investigation is underway to nab others involved in the attack.