Raipur– In a major blow to left-wing extremism, security forces in Chhattisgarh have killed 27 Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju, the General Secretary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). The encounter took place on Wednesday in the dense forests of Abujhmad, a known stronghold of Maoist activity.
The successful operation marks a historic milestone in India’s decades-long battle against Naxal insurgency. Acting on specific intelligence about the presence of Basavaraju and other top Maoist leaders in the area, joint teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon were deployed.
As the forces advanced through the rugged terrain, they came under heavy fire from Maoist cadres, prompting a fierce gunbattle. After a prolonged exchange, 27 Maoists were neutralized, including Basavaraju—regarded as the most senior Maoist leader in the country.
Tragically, one DRG personnel was killed in action. His body is being transported to the District Headquarters in Narayanpur. Several other personnel sustained injuries but have received immediate medical care and are reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, and carbines.
According to officials, Basavaraju, who was around 70 years old and hailed from Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, held several top positions within the CPI (Maoist), including General Secretary, Chief of the Central Military Commission, Politburo Member, and Central Committee Member. He played a central role in planning and executing Maoist operations across multiple regions in India.
While the terrain posed significant challenges, security forces remain determined to continue their anti-Maoist campaign. Search operations are ongoing in the surrounding areas to locate any injured or fleeing Maoist operatives. Officials emphasized that the fight against left-wing extremism will continue with full force.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security forces for their successful operation.
In a post on social media platform X, Amit Shah called the operation a “landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism,” noting that the death of Basavaraju marked the downfall of a key figure in the Maoist insurgency.
Prime Minister Modi echoed this sentiment, stating, “Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people.”
The encounter is being seen as one of the most significant strikes against Maoist leadership in recent years and a decisive moment in the country’s ongoing counterinsurgency efforts. (Source: IANS)
