In a fierce gun battle that erupted on the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts, the death toll of Maoists has risen to 36 as of Saturday. The exchange of fire, which began on Friday afternoon, initially resulted in the deaths of seven Maoists, according to police reports. However, unofficial sources have indicated that the death toll has steadily climbed, first to 14, then 24, and now 36.While police have yet to officially confirm the total number of casualties, it is believed that those killed were members of the Maoist Party’s Co-6 unit, a significant group within the organization.The encounter was part of ongoing anti-Maoist operations in the region, which has seen frequent clashes between security forces and insurgents. The situation remains tense, with authorities continuing to monitor the area closely for further developments.