How Did 31 Maoists Get Neutralized in Chhattisgarh?

Raipur, May 14 (NationPress) A total of 31 Maoists have been taken down during a nearly month-long counterinsurgency initiative by security forces in the rugged terrain of Karregutta Hills located in the Bijapur district along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, as reported by a police official.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated his commitment to extinguishing Naxalism in India by 2026 on several occasions.

In a decisive 24-day operation, the security forces were able to neutralize 31 Maoists—17 women and 14 men—recovering all bodies and ensuring the safety of returning troops, according to the official.

Chhattisgarh DGP Arun Dev Gautam mentioned that the mission was meticulously planned based on technical field intelligence, analyzed for 24 hours prior to the operation. The forces successfully neutralized IEDs positioned along the steep terrain and established a hilltop base equipped with a helipad. They also uncovered and dismantled four weapon manufacturing facilities.

During a press conference, CRPF DG GP Singh and Chhattisgarh Police DG Gautam discussed the triumphs and hurdles encountered in ‘Operation Karregutta’. Prior to this, Maoist spokesperson Abhay acknowledged in a circulated pamphlet that 26 of their comrades had been killed, additionally calling for peace negotiations with the government.

The encounter saw injuries sustained by 18 security personnel, with the operation leading to a fierce clash that resulted in the elimination of 31 Naxalites, 22 of whom were identified. Among these, three were high-profile militants each carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh. The site of the encounter posed significant challenges, characterized by its remote and hilly landscape heavily covered in forests, complicating access. Nonetheless, the forces remain vigilant, closely monitoring the situation, the official stated.

This operation stands out as one of the most extensive and impactful counterinsurgency missions ever executed in the Bastar region. DG CRPF Gyanendra Pratap Singh remarked that despite the difficult terrain and robust resistance, the security forces exhibited remarkable resilience, successfully neutralizing 31 militants, including three notorious insurgents with substantial bounties on their heads.

During the engagement, 18 security personnel were injured, including eight from IED blasts. Fortunately, all are reported to be in stable condition, as confirmed by the official. Rapid medical evacuations ensured that the injured were airlifted and provided swift medical attention. This operation has been unprecedented in scale, involving around 10,000 personnel from various law enforcement agencies, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force (STF), state police units, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and its specialized Cobra unit.

Furthermore, the Telangana Police played a vital role in coordinating efforts, as noted by the official. The Karregutta Hills are known to contain over 250 caves, which have historically been a critical hideout for Naxal insurgents. An estimated 300 to 400 Naxalites frequently traverse this region, utilizing it as a safe zone for their operations.