20 Maoists, Including Top Leader, Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounter

20 Maoists Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounter, Including Senior Leader with Rs 1 Crore Bounty

In a major breakthrough against Maoist insurgency, security forces eliminated 20 Maoists, including a top leader, in a fierce encounter in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district. The operation, hailed as a "major success" by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, took place in a forest near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Among the deceased was Jayaram Reddy, alias Chalapati, a senior Maoist leader carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore.

The joint operation, involving personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA from Chhattisgarh, and Special Operation Group (SOG) from Odisha, was launched based on intelligence inputs about Maoist presence in the Kularighat reserve forest. The encounter site yielded a significant cache of firearms, ammunition, and IEDs, including a self-loading rifle. An extensive search operation is currently underway in the area.

Home Minister Amit Shah, who has pledged to eradicate Maoist activities by March 2026, lauded the operation as a "mighty blow to Naxalism." He confirmed the neutralization of 14 Naxalites in the joint operation, emphasizing the government's resolve to establish a Naxal-free India.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, also praised the security forces. He expressed confidence that the state will be free from Maoists by March 2026, highlighting the "continuous success" and "rapid progress" made by the security forces towards this goal.

Chalapati, a resident of Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor, held a prominent position in the central committee, the highest decision-making body of the Maoists. Known for his operations in the dense forests of Abujhmad, Chhattisgarh, he had recently shifted his base to the Odisha border due to increased encounters in his former area of operation. He played a crucial role in strategizing and leading Maoist operations and had a personal security detail of 8 to 10 guards. The elimination of Chalapati is a significant setback for the Maoist organization.

This latest incident comes amidst a series of successful operations against Maoists in Chhattisgarh this year, with around 40 Maoists killed in various encounters. The year 2024 saw over 200 Maoists killed, a majority of them in the Bastar region. In addition, over 800 Maoists were arrested, and a similar number surrendered to the authorities. Sadly, the fight against Maoists also resulted in the loss of about 18 security personnel and 65 civilians in 2024. These latest updates highlight the ongoing efforts to combat Maoist insurgency in the region. The news marks a significant victory for the security forces and reinforces the government's commitment to achieving a Maoist-free India.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top