14 Maoists, Including Senior Leader with Rs 1 Crore Bounty, Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounter; Amit Shah Lauds Security Forces for “Major Success”

Fourteen Maoists, including a senior leader carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The operation, which took place late Monday night and early Tuesday, was focused on a forest area along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Among the deceased was Jayaram Reddy, also known as Chalapati, a Maoist leader who had been active in the region.

The encounter, which took place in the Kularighat reserve forest, just five kilometers from Odisha’s Nuapada district, saw a joint operation by security personnel from multiple agencies. These included the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Chhattisgarh, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and the Special Operations Group (SOG) from Odisha. The operation was launched following intelligence about the Maoists' presence in the area.

The confrontation led to the killing of 14 Maoists, including two women, and the recovery of a large cache of weapons and explosives. Authorities seized firearms, ammunition, and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), including a self-loading rifle. A massive search operation is currently underway in the region to ensure no Maoists remain in the area.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a major success in the fight against Naxalism. On social media, he described the encounter as "another mighty blow to Naxalism." Shah emphasized the progress being made toward creating a Naxal-free India, stating, "Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border." He added, "With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also commended the security forces for their success. He reiterated the state's commitment to eradicating Naxalism by March 2026, as promised by both the central and state governments. "This success of the soldiers is commendable. I salute their bravery," Sai wrote on social media. He further stated that under the leadership of the BJP government at both the Centre and in the state, the battle against Maoists was progressing swiftly. So far this year, around 40 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh, reflecting the ongoing crackdown on insurgent activities.

This operation is part of a broader crackdown by security forces on Maoist activities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged to eliminate Naxalism by 2026. Earlier this month, a deadly attack by Maoists killed eight DRG jawans and one driver in Bijapur district. The attack, which involved an IED blast, was one of the most significant assaults on security personnel in recent years. In April 2023, another major Maoist attack took place in the neighboring Dantewada district, where ten police officers and a civilian driver were killed after their vehicle was blown up by Naxals.