At least 22 Security Force (SF) personnel were killed and 30 others injured in an encounter with Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in a forest along the border between Bijapur and Sukma Districts in Chhattisgarh on April 3, reports CNBCTV18. The officials said that nine Naxals [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] -- including a woman Maoist -- were killed in the three-hour-long encounter, adds English Jagran. Following tip-off over the major movement of the Maoists, the planned anti-Maoist operations were undertaken by various parties of the forces along the Bijapur-Sukma border from three different directions in the conflict zone of Bastar on April 2 night. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), anti-Naxal operations, OP Pal said, the personnel belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) were involved in the operation launched from five places - Tarrem, Usoor and Pamed (Bijapur) and Minpa and Narsapuram (Sukma). The Maoists People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion was led by its ‘commander’ Hidma, with a total strength of nearly 250, and this group of Naxals was aided by Maoists associated with the Maoist platoons of Pamed, Konta, Jagargunda and Basaguda area committees. A group of 60-80 armed Maoists led by Chandranna was also spotted in Bijapur shortly before the attack.