Chhattisgarh: Senior Naxal leader Gautam killed in Bijapur; second leader neutralised in three weeks

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In a major blow to Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, security forces have neutralised senior Maoist leader and Central Committee Member (CCM) Sudhakar, also known as Gautam, during an operation in Bijapur.

Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 15 (HBTV): In a major blow to Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, security forces have neutralised senior Maoist leader and Central Committee Member (CCM) Sudhakar, also known as Gautam, during an operation in Bijapur district. This marks the second high-profile Maoist leader eliminated in just over three weeks, according to Bastar Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj.

Gautam, a senior figure in the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation, was killed on June 5 during a joint operation by security forces in Bijapur’s national forest area. His death follows the neutralisation of CPI (Maoist) Politburo member and General Secretary Basava Raju in the Abujmarh area of Narayanpur district on May 21, in which 26 other Naxals were also killed. Raju was widely considered the 'backbone of the Naxal movement'.

‘On May 21, after the recovery of the body of CPI (Maoist) leader, Central Committee Politburo member and General Secretary Basava Raju in Abujmarh forest, today on 5th June, security forces received a huge success in anti-Naxal operation,’ IG Sundarraj told ANI.

He stated that an AK-47 rifle, arms, ammunition, and various explosive materials were recovered after the June 5 encounter.

‘In the Bijapur national park area, inputs regarding the presence of senior CPI (Maoist) cadres and PLG cadres were received. Based on that, joint teams from the STF, DRG, and CoBRA were deployed for the operation. During the mission, multiple exchanges of fire took place between the security forces and Naxals. After the firefight, a Maoist’s body was recovered along with an AK-47, a large quantity of explosives, and other weapons,’ Sundarraj said.

The joint operation was conducted by the Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).

According to officials, Gautam was responsible for multiple violent attacks that claimed the lives of both security personnel and innocent tribal civilians. His death is seen as a major setback to the Maoist leadership, particularly in the Dandakaranya region.

So far in 2025, 186 Maoist cadres have been killed in counter-insurgency operations across the Bastar Range. Between 2024 and 2025, over 403 Maoist cadres have been neutralised in the region following a series of encounters with security forces, officials added.

(ANI)