Major Naxalite Operation in Chhattisgarh Claims Lives of 27 Insurgents

In a recent operation in Chhattisgarh, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the deaths of 26 to 27 Naxalites, including the notorious Baswaraju. This marks a significant escalation in anti-Naxal efforts since the government change in the state. The operation, involving elite commandos, resulted in the recovery of various weapons and equipment. This encounter follows another major operation where 27 Maoists were killed, highlighting the ongoing struggle against insurgency in the region. Read on for more details about the operation and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2025, 17:04 IST

Significant Naxalite Casualties Reported

The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, announced that 26 to 27 Naxalites were killed during an operation in the forests of Abujhmad, suggesting a potential end to Naxalism in the region. Among those killed was Baswaraju, who had a bounty of crores on his head. Shinde noted that since the change in government in Chhattisgarh, operations against Naxalites have intensified, stating that such a large-scale action has never been witnessed before. He emphasized that while the Union Home Minister is working to eliminate Naxalism, Prime Minister Modi is focused on combating terrorism.

In a significant anti-Maoist operation, four Naxalites were confirmed dead following an encounter with security forces near the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in Gadchiroli district, as reported by a senior official on Friday. This encounter occurred during a meticulously planned operation coordinated by the elite C-60 commando unit of the Maharashtra police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The operation commenced on Thursday afternoon based on credible intelligence regarding Naxalite activities near a recently established Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Kawande area.

Details of the Operation

Approximately 300 commandos from a dozen C-60 units launched the assault from the Kawande and Nelgunda regions, despite challenging conditions including heavy rainfall. The forces advanced towards the banks of the Indravati River. Gunfire erupted on Friday morning as security personnel were conducting searches and cordoning off the riverbanks. Reports indicate that the Naxalites opened fire indiscriminately on the forces, prompting a swift and effective counter-response from the C-60 commandos. Following the encounter, security forces recovered the bodies of four Naxalites from the scene, along with a range of weapons and equipment, including an automatic self-loading rifle, two .303 rifles, a heavy machine gun, walkie-talkies, camping gear, Maoist propaganda materials, and other items.

Context of the Encounter

This encounter follows another significant anti-Maoist operation in neighboring Chhattisgarh just two days prior, where security forces killed 27 Maoists, including the top leader Baswaraju. Gadchiroli, located in eastern Maharashtra, has long been a hotspot for Maoist insurgency, sharing a porous and forested border with Chhattisgarh, making it a strategic location for Maoist operations and a frequent target for anti-terrorism campaigns.