A major anti-Naxal offensive by security forces in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh state’s Indravati National Park has entered its third consecutive day, with the killing of two additional Maoists on Saturday. This brings the total number of Maoists neutralized in the operation to four, including two high-ranking operatives who played key roles in the Maoist movement in central and southern India.
The encounter, which began late Friday night, has seen sustained gunfire between security personnel and Naxal cadres hiding in the thick jungles of Bijapur, a known Maoist stronghold in south Chhattisgarh. Sources within the security establishment confirmed that automatic weapons were recovered from the slain insurgents, highlighting the operational capability and threat level posed by the group.
Although the identities of the two Maoists killed on Saturday are still being verified, their deaths are considered a continuation of the sweeping operation that led to the elimination of two senior Maoist leaders over the past two days.
One of the most significant breakthroughs of the operation has been the killing of Sudhakar, a Central Committee Member of the CPI (Maoist)—the highest decision-making body within the banned organization. Sudhakar was carrying a bounty of ₹1 crore, and his elimination is widely seen as a crippling blow to the strategic leadership of the Maoist insurgency.
Joining him was Mailarapu Adellu, more commonly known by his aliases Bhaskar, Jangu Dada, and Mahesh. Bhaskar was a Special Zonal Committee member of the CPI (Maoist)’s Telangana State Committee and served as the Secretary of the Mancherial-Kumuram Bheem-Asifabad (MKB) division. With a reward of ₹45 lakh on his head, he was considered one of the most experienced and influential leaders operating in Telangana and adjoining regions. Hailing from Pochera village in Boath mandal of Adilabad district, Bhaskar was instrumental in expanding Maoist influence across state borders, overseeing recruitment, logistics, and ideological indoctrination.
His death is being viewed not just as a tactical win but also as a symbolic dismantling of Maoist influence in key border districts between Telangana and Chhattisgarh.
Security Forces Maintain Pressure
Security forces, comprising personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), remain entrenched in the forested area. The terrain—characterized by deep cover and minimal infrastructure—has traditionally provided Maoists with operational advantages. However, the ongoing operation, driven by intelligence-based inputs, marks a shift toward more aggressive and proactive counter-insurgency strategy.
Senior officials in Raipur have stated that the offensive is not yet complete and that forces are conducting follow-up searches to track down any remaining cadres who may have escaped the initial ambushes.
Surrender in Dantewada
In a related development, seven Maoists surrendered to the police in Dantewada district, another hotspot of Naxal activity. Among them were two mid-level operatives, Juglu alias Sundum Kowasi and Dasha alias Burku Podiyam, both carrying cash rewards of ₹50,000. Officials described their surrender as a sign of growing fatigue within the Maoist ranks and a testament to the success of rehabilitation policies offered under the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.
The surrendered Maoists will now be enrolled in state-run deradicalization and livelihood programs aimed at reintegrating former combatants into civilian life.
Strategic Implications
The ongoing crackdown in Bijapur comes at a time when the Maoist insurgency in central India is under increasing pressure. Chhattisgarh, along with parts of Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, forms the so-called “Red Corridor”, where Maoists have historically maintained strongholds. Over the past decade, however, consistent security operations, community development programs, and improved infrastructure have weakened the rebels’ grip.
The elimination of leaders like Sudhakar and Bhaskar is expected to create a leadership vacuum and disrupt internal coordination among Maoist groups. It also sends a strong message to lower-ranked cadres, many of whom may now consider surrendering.
A Decisive Phase in the Anti-Naxal Fight
The current operation in Bijapur represents more than just a military engagement—it marks a strategic milestone in India’s long battle against Left-wing extremism. With top leaders neutralized and surrenders increasing, authorities are optimistic that sustained pressure, coupled with development outreach, could significantly reduce Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh and beyond.
Security forces remain on high alert as search operations continue in the jungle terrain, and officials have assured that efforts will persist until the area is fully cleared of armed insurgents.
