Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 22 (HBTV): In a historic success towards the goal of a ‘Naxal-free India’, security forces have killed 31 Naxalites in the largest anti-Naxal operation conducted to date—a 21-day-long offensive at Karreguttalu Hill (KGH) on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.

During this extensive campaign, 214 Naxal hideouts and bunkers were destroyed, and 450 IEDs, 818 BGL shells, 899 bundles of Codex, detonators, and a large quantity of explosive material were recovered. Additionally, nearly 12,000 kilograms of food supplies were seized.

Four Naxal technical units used for the production of BGL shells, homemade weapons, IEDs, and other deadly arms were also demolished. Security forces recovered large quantities of ration, medicines, and daily-use items from multiple hideouts and bunkers.

Eighteen personnel from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Special Task Force (STF), and District Reserve Guards (DRG) were injured in IED explosions during the operation. All injured personnel are out of danger and receiving treatment.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, stated that Karreguttalu Hill, once under the grip of red terror, now proudly hoists the tricolour. He described the location as the Unified Headquarters of major Naxal outfits, including PLGA Battalion 1, DKSZC, TSC, and CRC, which previously served as a hub for training, strategy, and weapon manufacturing.

Shah congratulated the CRPF, STF, and DRG personnel for braving harsh terrain and weather, noting the absence of casualties among the forces as a remarkable achievement. He reiterated the government's commitment to eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a joint press briefing held in Bijapur, CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Chhattisgarh DGP Arun Dev Gautam, and other senior officials shared detailed information about the operation. Singh stated:

‘We are committed to fulfilling the resolve taken by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to end Naxalism by 31st March 2026. We have recovered 31 bodies of Naxalites from an area spanning 1,200 square kilometres, and it is likely that more were neutralised. Out of the 31, 28 have been identified. The operation was named Operation Black Forest and included teams from CoBRA, CRPF, and Chhattisgarh Police. Such a huge recovery has never occurred before. This is a significant achievement for us.’

The forces recovered 31 uniformed bodies, including 16 female Naxalites, and 35 weapons after 21 encounters on Karreguttalu Hill. Of the 28 identified Naxalites, a total bounty of INR 1.72 crore had been declared for them. The operation, conducted from April 21 to May 11, 2025, suggests the casualties were members of prominent Naxal outfits like the PLGA Battalion, CRC Company, and the Telangana State Committee.

The border areas of Sukma and Bijapur, previously Naxal strongholds, housed top cadres of these outlawed organisations. In response, security forces established numerous new camps in difficult terrains, prompting Naxals to consolidate at the heavily fortified Karreguttalu Hill.

KGH is a rugged, 60-km-long and 5–20-km-wide hilly area that became a base for nearly 300–350 armed cadres over two and a half years, including PLGA’s Technical Department Unit and other organisational elements.

A multi-agency special team was formed for this operation to collect and analyse technical and human intelligence. Using this intelligence, the operation was meticulously planned, including mobilising personnel, maintaining reinforcements, and ensuring the safety of troops by detecting IEDs in advance.

This campaign stands out as the most extensive and coordinated anti-Naxal operation to date, marked by seamless cooperation between state and central agencies. Officials believe several top Naxal leaders were killed or injured, although many bodies are yet to be recovered due to the terrain’s challenges.

Despite the extreme heat—with daytime temperatures above 45°C—forces continued the mission undeterred, overcoming dehydration and difficult logistics. The operation highlighted the Modi government's 'whole-of-government' approach and aimed to dismantle armed Naxal formations like the PLGA Battalion, push militants out of inaccessible zones, and restore state control.

According to official data, 197 hardcore Naxalites have been neutralised in 2025 so far. The number of severely Naxal-affected districts has dropped from 35 in 2014 to just 6 by 2025. Naxal-affected districts have decreased from 126 to 18, and incidents of Naxal violence have fallen from 1,080 in 2014 to 374 in 2024. Fatalities among security personnel dropped from 88 in 2014 to 19 in 2024, while the number of Naxals killed has increased from 63 to 2,089.

Additionally, 928 Naxals surrendered in 2024, with 718 more surrendering in the first four months of 2025. Since 2019, a total of 320 security camps have been established in affected areas, along with 68 night-landing helipads. The number of fortified police stations has risen from 66 in 2014 to 555 in 2025.

This historic operation has fragmented major armed Naxal units, strengthened security control, and advanced security force presence in areas like the National Park region of Bijapur district and the Maad region in Narayanpur.

(ANI)