New Delhi: A major counter-insurgency operation in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district resulted in the deaths of three Maoists, including a sniper specialist, during an encounter on Sunday. The clash unfolded in the Bhejji police station limits, where joint teams of the District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters, and the CRPF were deployed following specific intelligence inputs.
One of those killed was Janmilitia commander Madvi Deva, known for his marksmanship and long considered a key Maoist asset in the region. He carried a reward of five lakh rupees, as did the two women who were also killed. After the gun battle, security personnel recovered a .303 rifle, a BGL grenade launcher, and a significant cache of ammunition.
The operation began late on November 16 after information surfaced about Maoist movement along the Bhejji–Chintagufa corridor. As forces moved through the dense Tumalpad forest early Sunday, Maoists opened fire, triggering an extended exchange. Intermittent firing continued for several hours, and the bodies were later found during a combing operation. Officials pointed to the encounter as another sign of declining Maoist strength in the area, noting that 233 insurgents have been killed in the Bastar range so far this year.
The Sukma clash follows a major strike in Bijapur on November 11, where six Maoists, including three women, were killed. Among them were key figures such as Buchanna, who headed the Maddeed Area Committee, and Urmila, the wife of senior commander Paparao. The recent crackdown also prompted the surrender of two area committee leaders. With these developments, all three major Maoist committees in the district now lack leadership, reflecting a shrinking insurgent hold.
Despite this shift, officials estimate that about 300 armed Maoists continue to operate in the deep forests of South Bastar under the command of four senior leaders, each carrying a reward of one crore rupees. These groups maintain strongholds in remote terrain even as the broader movement shows signs of weakening.
As Chhattisgarh marks twenty-five years of statehood, cumulative figures highlight the toll of the long-running conflict, with thousands of insurgents, civilians, and security personnel affected. While recent operations suggest a turning point, neutralising the remaining leadership remains the critical challenge in the campaign to end Maoist violence.
