Military Action Resulted in Death of 31 Maoist Rebels in a 21-day Battle, Says India; Operation Part of Ongoing Offensive Against Naxalites
Going all-in against India's Maoist rebels:
Indian security forces are stepping up the battle against Maoist rebels with the "biggest operation against Naxalism" ever recorded, as per the country's Home Minister, Amit Shah. The intensive assault took place on Karreguttalu Hill, situated on the border of Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
Posting on social media on a recent Wednesday, Shah shared that India's security forces managed to complete this significant anti-Naxal operation in just 21 days without sustaining any casualties among their ranks. The tricolor flag now flies proudly on the hill where red terror previously reigned.
The Naxalite rebellion, inspired by Maoist ideology, emerged in 1967 as a far-left fighters' movement advocating for the rights of tribal people in the region. At its peak in the mid-2000s, the group controlled about a third of the country, boasting an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 fighters[1].
Initiated on April 21, 2025, "Operation Black Forest" involves the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Task Force, and District Reserve Guard (DRG). In this operation, the security forces successfully targeted Naxalite headquarters, fending off challenging weather conditions, and achieving outcomes surpassing expectations[2].
The government's declared objective is to wipe out Naxalism completely by March 31, 2026, through relentless and ruthless operations[3]. Indian authorities have reported killing at least 400 rebels in the past year. Most recently, 11 rebels fell in the states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. In February and March, security forces eliminated 11 more fighters[3].
Encouraged by the success of Operation Black Forest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes that the campaign against Naxalism is heading in the right direction[4]. Moreover, 718 Naxalites have allegedly surrendered during the first four months of 2025[5].
A committed government and sustained military actions to dislocate Maoist leadership and break their military formations, combined with commitments to peace and development in affected regions, aim to eradicate Naxalism and lead to lasting peace[4][5].
References:
[1] Khanduri, K. (2021, July 3). “Maoist Insurgency in India: What to know about the Naxalites.” Aljazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/3/maoist-insurgency-in-india-what-to-know-about-the-naxalites
[2] Safaya, P. (2025, April 30). “Biggest ever operation against Naxalites completed in 21 days, says Union Minister Amit Shah.” IndiaToday. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/biggest-ever-operation-against-naxalites-completed-in-21-days-says-union-minister-amit-shah-1877551-2025-04-30
[3] Sharma, U. (2025, May 3). “India vows to eliminate Naxalites by March 31, 2026.” The Hindu. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-vows-to-eliminate-naxalites-by-march-31-2026/article65261594.ece
[4] Narayan, A. (2025, May 4). “India's new offensive against Maoists sees strategic successes amidst casualties.” Asia Times. Retrieved from https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/indias-new-offensive-against-maoists-sees-strategic-successes-amidst-casualties/
[5] “718 Naxalites surrender in first four months of 2025: Ministry data.” PTI (Press Trust of India). (2025, May 5). Retrieved from https://www.ptinews.com/news/11160631_718-naxalites-surrender-in-first-four-months-of-2025--ministry-data
Breaking news: The Indian government's ongoing policy-and-legislation against the Maoist rebels, known as Naxalites, has gained momentum with the successful completion of Operation Black Forest. The war-and-conflicts operation, launched on April 21, 2025, involved the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Task Force, and District Reserve Guard (DRG), and has resulted in the capture of several Naxalite headquarters. The general-news comes amidst reports that India's Home Minister, Amit Shah, declared the objective of eradicating Naxalism completely by March 31, 2026. The crime-and-justice ministry has also reported increased surrender of Naxalites, with 718 surrendering during the first four months of 2025.
