Bastar (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 3 (HBTV): Security forces have launched a decisive battle against Naxal insurgents in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh by deploying around 10,000 personnel to Karegutta hill and the surrounding dense forests. Friday marked the fourth day of the massive operation.
Based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of top Naxal leaders—including most-wanted commanders such as Hidma, Damodar, and Deva—joint forces from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana have cordoned off the forested region and Karegutta hill near the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, police sources said.
Around 10,000 personnel from Chhattisgarh’s DRG, Bastar Fighters, STF, COBRA, CRPF, Telangana's Greyhounds, and Maharashtra's C-60 are engaged in what is being described as the largest anti-Naxal operation in India's history.
Describing the mission as ‘very crucial’, the source noted that it aims to dismantle the military strength of the CPI (Maoist)'s PLGA Battalion-1. Additionally, strategic arms of the movement such as the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee and the Telangana State Committee are being targeted.
On the first day of the operation, security personnel recovered the bodies of three slain cadres and seized weapons.
‘Searches in the rugged terrain of the encounter zone suggest that several more Naxals may have been killed or injured in the firefight,’ a source said, adding that extensive combing operations are underway.
The source likened the operation to a test match, stating: ‘The game will last a long time, and every session may not yield very exciting news. But we are hopeful of a very favourable result at the end of this match.’
All relevant stakeholders—including the central government, the Chhattisgarh government, and neighbouring states—are actively involved in the operation.
The hot summer conditions and rough terrain, along with the threat of IEDs and enemy fire, pose serious challenges to the troops. However, the morale of the forces remains high, the source claimed.
In response to the extensive IED deployment by Naxals, forces are also engaged in de-mining operations to prevent harm to personnel and civilians.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai have reiterated their commitment to eliminate armed Naxalism from the state by March 26, 2026. ‘Bullets will be answered with bullets,’ they have stated, even as they continue to urge Naxal cadres to abandon violence and return to the mainstream.
Since the BJP government came to power on December 3, 2023, security forces have neutralised 365 Naxals in separate encounters, arrested 1,382, and seen 2,306 surrender under the state's rehabilitation policy.
In 2025 alone, 144 Naxals have been killed, 367 arrested, and 476 have surrendered.
(ANI)