Major Success Against Left-Wing Extremism: Top Maoist Leader Eliminated in Chhattisgarh
In a remarkable achievement, security forces in Chhattisgarh have eliminated top Maoist leader Basavaraju during a fierce encounter in the Abujhmad forests. This operation resulted in the deaths of 26 Maoists and is considered one of the most significant successes against left-wing extremism in recent years. Basavaraju, a key figure in the Maoist movement since the 1970s, was linked to several deadly attacks on security forces. His elimination is expected to impact the Maoist operations in the region significantly. Read on to learn more about this critical development and its implications.
May 21, 2025, 15:20 IST
Significant Achievement in Anti-Maoist Operations
Security forces have achieved a significant milestone in their battle against left-wing extremism. In a fierce encounter within the dense forests of Abujhmad, Chhattisgarh, they successfully eliminated a prominent Maoist leader, Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju. He was among 26 Maoists killed during this operation, marking one of the most impactful anti-Maoist successes in recent years. Nearly 70 years old, Basavaraju was one of India's most wanted Maoist leaders, with a bounty of ₹1.5 crore on his head. Originally from the village of Jianapeta in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, he held a B.Tech degree from the Regional Engineering College (REC) in Warangal.
Background of the Maoist Leader
Basavaraju joined the Maoist movement in the 1970s and was known to operate under various aliases, including Ganganna, Krishna, Narsimha, and Prakash. After leading the party for over a decade, he is believed to have fled to the Philippines. He was considered the mastermind behind some of the most dangerous Maoist attacks in India. Notably, he played a crucial role in the killing of 76 CRPF personnel in Chintalnar in 2010 and was involved in the 2013 attack in Jhiram Valley, which resulted in the deaths of several Congress leaders.
Challenges in Tracking Basavaraju
There were no recent photographs of him on record, making it extremely challenging to track his movements. His operational areas primarily included parts of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Basavaraju was instrumental in the formation of CPI-ML (People's War) in 1980 and rose through the ranks to become part of its central committee in 1992.