Security forces in Chhattisgarh killed 18 suspected Maoists and injured four jawans in two separate encounters in Sukma and Bijapur districts on Saturday. The encounters, part of ongoing anti-Maoist operations, took place in regions known for Left-Wing Extremism.
In Sukma, 17 Maoists, including 11 female cadres, were killed in a fierce gun battle. Among the deceased was a senior member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), identified as Kuhdami Jagdish alias Budhra.
He was a Special Zonal Committee Member (SZCM) and the secretary of the Darbha Division, carrying a bounty of ₹25 lakh. He was wanted in multiple cases in Sukma district.
Four security personnel, including three from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and one from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), sustained injuries in the operation. Police confirmed that their condition remains stable.
Later in the evening, another encounter took place in Bijapur’s Narsapur forest area, where security personnel killed one Maoist. His body was recovered along with weapons, but his identity is yet to be confirmed.
How the Encounters Unfolded
The Sukma operation began after intelligence inputs suggested the presence of Maoist cadres in the Gogunda, Nendum, and Upampalli areas under the Kerlapal police station limits.
A joint team of DRG and CRPF launched an anti-Naxal operation on Friday. The following morning, an intense gunfight erupted, lasting several hours. Once the firing ceased, security personnel recovered the bodies of 17 Maoists.
Police also seized a cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, an SLR rifle, an INSAS rifle, .303 rifles, rocket launchers, and grenade launchers, along with a significant amount of explosives.
Efforts are underway to identify all the deceased Maoists. So far, seven have been identified.
Increasing Pressure on Maoist Insurgency
The latest operation is part of a larger crackdown on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in Chhattisgarh. Security forces have killed over 116 Maoists this year alone, compared to 219 in 2024. In 2023 and 2022, the numbers stood at 22 and 30, respectively.
The Sukma district has witnessed multiple encounters this year, with around 22 Maoists killed in separate operations. On Thursday, another major gun battle in Bijapur and Kanker districts resulted in over two dozen Maoist casualties, along with the loss of one police personnel.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently reaffirmed the government's commitment to eliminating the Maoist threat.
Addressing Parliament, he stated that the Narendra Modi-led administration is following a "ruthless approach" against insurgents who refuse to surrender, and reiterated that India aims to be "Naxal-free" by March 31, 2026.
Government's Strategy Against Maoist Influence
Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, comprising Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Kondagaon, remains the epicentre of Maoist activities.
The government has deployed thousands of security personnel to push Maoists out of their strongholds and reclaim territories in what is commonly referred to as the "Red Corridor."
As part of its anti-Maoist strategy, the government is focusing on infrastructure development, including road construction in insurgency-hit areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Chhattisgarh on March 30 to launch new infrastructure projects and meet communities affected by Maoist violence.
Security forces have also established 17 new camps in core Maoist-controlled areas, including the dense, unmapped forests of Abhujmad.
The 4,000 square kilometre region, straddling Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, has long been a Maoist stronghold. Due to the challenging terrain and lack of infrastructure, survey attempts have been unsuccessful since 2017.
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