In two distinct confrontations within Bastar, 30 Maoist rebels were fatally shot.
In the year 2024-25, Chhattisgarh witnessed a significant increase in Maoist casualties, with a reported 357 Maoist cadres killed in encounters with security forces. This surge in violence was particularly pronounced in the Dandakaranya region, encompassing parts of Bastar districts and Gadchiroli, where 281 Maoists were neutralized, including four Central Committee members and 15 state-level leaders.
The escalation in violence was marked by several high-profile operations, such as "Operation Karregutta" launched on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. During this operation, security forces targeted Maoist armed groups and bases, resulting in the deaths of 31 Maoists and the destruction of 216 Maoist hideouts and bunkers. Substantial armaments, including 818 shells for barrel grenade launchers, 899 bundles of detonating cords, detonators, and large quantities of explosives, were also recovered.
The ongoing counter-insurgency offensive, known as "Operation Kagaar" by Maoists, has been credited by officials for pushing the Maoists to their weakest phase in decades. This operation has combined consistent security actions and increased cooperation from local communities to undermine Maoist influence, as shown by rising numbers of surrenders and massive weapon seizures.
However, these operations have had complex ramifications. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) records indicate a sharp rise in deaths in Bastar and surrounding districts, totaling approximately 589 people killed (including civilians, security forces, and Maoists) since 2024, raising concerns about human rights and civilian casualties amidst the conflict.
This intensification of anti-Maoist efforts is part of the government’s Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Operation to make India free from Naxal insurgency), aiming for complete eradication by 2026. The heavy cadre losses and weapon seizures reported highlight both the immediate impact on Maoist capabilities and the challenges posed by the high toll on civilians and security personnel in the conflict zones.
In recent developments, at least 30 Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in south Bastar, Chhattisgarh. A huge cache of firearms, including several automatic weapons, was recovered at the Akhal Forest encounter sites. Four Maoists were killed in a separate encounter in a forest along the borders of the Kanker-Narayanpur district. The death toll of Maoists in the Akhal Forest encounter may increase, while one jawan of the district reserve guard (DRG) was killed in one of the encounters.
In the Gangaloor area, 26 Naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces, and one DRG commando was killed in the Gangaloor encounter. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, security forces launched a search operation in Andri forest along the borders of Bijapur and Dantewada districts, where two jawans were injured after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists. Search operations by security personnel in Akhal Forest, J&K, are ongoing (Day 7).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the successes of the security forces, calling it another step in the direction of "Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan". The Maoists' company number two has been operating in the Gangaloor area and was involved in attacks on the Bailadila iron ore mine. The bodies of 30 Naxals slain in both the encounters were recovered.
These details underscore the scale and intensity of the ongoing conflict in Chhattisgarh with significant operational successes for security forces alongside concerns over human rights and civilian safety. The net profit of Navratna NALCO surged 77% to Rs 1,064 Cr in Q1 FY26, but this information is not directly related to the previous facts presented in this article.
The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Chhattisgarh, particularly the Naxal insurgency, have seen a surge in violence, leading to a reported 357 Maoist casualties in the year 2024-25. The government's policy-and-legislation, such as the Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, aim for the eradication of Maoists by 2026, with key operations like "Operation Kagaar" and "Operation Karregutta" proving effective in reducing Maoist strength but also raising concerns about human rights and civilian casualties, as shown by the increase in general-news reports on deaths in Bastar and surrounding districts. Crime-and-justice issues also arise, with illegal firearms frequently recovered from Maoist encounters and IED incidents causing injuries to security personnel.
