New Delhi: In a daring anti-Naxalite operation, security forces in India have delivered a significant blow to Naxalism by neutralizing 16 Naxals in the Sukma-Dantewada border region of Chhattisgarh. This major success resonates with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s vow to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026, as he commended the bravery of the security forces involved.
Saturday’s encounter in the Upampalli Kerlapal forest area marked a robust response to the Naxal threat, with two jawans sustaining minor injuries during the operation. The gunfight began early in the morning near the Kerlapal police station as the joint forces, comprising personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), launched an anti-Naxalite offensive. The operation was initiated late on Friday night following intelligence reports indicating the presence of Maoists in the area.
A substantial cache of arms, including AK 47s, SLRs, INSAS Rifles, 303 Rifles, rocket launchers, BGL launchers, and explosives, was recovered from the site. This haul underscores the determined effort by security forces to dismantle the Naxalite infrastructure in the region.
In response to the successful operation, Home Minister Amit Shah not only praised the bravery of the security forces but also reiterated his appeal to Naxalites to lay down arms. Shah emphasized that peace and development, not violence, are the keys to fostering positive change, reiterating India’s resolve to combat Naxalism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
