Security forces have intensified anti-Maoist operations in Telangana as part of the second phase of ‘Operation KGH-2’, with central forces advancing through the Karreguttalu hills near the Telangana–Chhattisgarh border, officials said. The operation has drawn attention due to the renewed presence of central forces combing forests in the state after a prolonged gap.
According to reports, the forces are moving towards forested areas in Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and adjoining districts, based on intelligence inputs suggesting Maoist movement along the border regions. The Telangana Police’s elite anti-Naxal unit, Greyhounds, has intensified its role in the operation with focused combing efforts in Mulugu district.
Intelligence agencies believe Maoists had established camps at intervals of about four kilometres in strategic locations such as Karreguttalu, the National Park region, and Abujhmad in neighbouring Chhattisgarh over the past 18 months, and may have crossed into Telangana.
The intensified operations follow the surrender of dozens of Maoists in two batches in the forests of Asifabad district, including members associated with the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Barse Dewa unit. Security forces have since stepped up surveillance and combing operations along the Telangana border as part of a broader push to weaken the Maoist presence.
Sources indicated that around 60–70 Maoists, including senior leaders such as Central Committee Secretary Devji, Telangana Secretary Damodar, PLGA Battalion No. 1 in-charge Commander Kesa Sodhi, South Bastar Division Military Commander-in-Chief Vijja Hemla, CYPC leader Anil Madkam, and Sukka Poonem, are believed to be sheltering in forest areas near the Telangana–Chhattisgarh border, particularly in Karreguttalu.
Security agencies are focusing on intensified combing operations to compel Maoists to surrender and dismantle their networks. Officials also highlighted the importance of de-mining operations in the region, as Maoists are believed to have planted landmines and booby traps in forest areas over the years.
The current operation builds on earlier anti-Maoist drives, including ‘Operation Black Forest’, carried out by central forces in Karreguttalu in April last year. Authorities have also indicated plans to develop the region as a tourist destination in the future, making clearance of explosives a key priority.
Meanwhile, the renewed operations have sparked debate among civil rights groups. Civil rights leader Professor G Haragopal criticised the deployment of central forces, alleging that their entry without state consent violated constitutional norms. Speaking in Hyderabad alongside civil rights activists, he said ‘Operation KGH-2’ resumed on February 18 and called for peace talks and dialogue rather than military action.
He also noted that Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Minister Seethakka, and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President Mahesh Kumar Goud had expressed reservations about such operations and emphasised the need for peaceful resolution.
Security forces, however, continue their operations, maintaining that intensified action is necessary to counter Maoist activity and restore long-term security in the region.
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