New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism, at least 26 Maoists were killed in a prolonged encounter with security forces in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh. The gunbattle has been ongoing for nearly 50 hours along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border, officials said.
According to sources, top CPI (Maoist) leader Nambala Keshavrao, also known as Basavaraj, is believed to be among those killed. Basavaraj held the position of General Secretary, the highest rank in the Maoist hierarchy, and was previously chief of the Central Military Commission. He was wanted by the NIA and police in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with a bounty of ₹1.5 crore on his head.
Another senior Maoist commander, Madhu, a leader of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, is also reportedly among the dead.
Coordinated Operation Across Four Districts
The operation was launched based on intelligence about the presence of senior Maoist cadres in the Abujhmad forest region. Personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) units of Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon joined forces in the high-temperature zone, where daytime temperatures soared above 40°C.
Major Blow to Maoist Leadership
Officials described the deaths of Basavaraj and Madhu as a major setback to Maoist insurgency, with the potential to seriously disrupt their leadership and operations across the region.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao confirmed the success of the operation and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eradicating Maoist presence by March 2026. He praised the dedication of the forces, saying, “The people of Bastar want peace and development.”
Follow-up to ‘Operation Black Forest’
This encounter follows last month’s ‘Operation Black Forest’, a 21-day-long anti-Maoist offensive along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. That operation resulted in the elimination of 31 Maoists, the destruction of 214 hideouts, and the seizure of arms, explosives, and 12,000 kg of food supplies.
Growing Surrenders
Earlier this week, 24 Maoists surrendered in Bijapur district, including 14 who carried a total bounty of ₹28.5 lakh. The government sees this trend as a reflection of waning Maoist influence and increasing public support for peace initiatives.
