Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 6 (HBTV): Following the elimination of 27 Naxals in a major security operation, including top CPI (Maoist) leader and General Secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P Sundarraj on Friday said that the banned organisation had received training and technological support from various militant and insurgent groups.

'Basavaraju was the General Secretary of CPI (Maoists) and headed its military commission. He played a key role in planning and executing the group’s violent operations,' IG Sundarraj said.

He added that the Naxals were trained by other insurgent outfits and also shared technologies used by groups such as the LTTE.

'The banned and illegal Naxal organisation always aimed to harm security forces through IEDs, ambushes, or direct attacks on camps. Their actions have endangered both security personnel and civilians. They took training from many militant and insurgent groups – even the LTTE’s name came up, and some technologies were shared. Basavaraju, being the General Secretary and in charge of the military commission, was involved in every aspect of their military operations. With his elimination, the organisation has suffered significant losses in both technology and military capabilities. Their area of influence has also reduced. We hope that Naxalism will soon come to an end,' he said.

According to the IG, the Maoists have suffered a major setback in leadership, military strength, and territorial control due to the operation.

On May 23, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel celebrated the success of the mission in which 27 Naxals, including Basavaraju, were neutralised. Despite the rain, DRG jawans were seen dancing, playing with colours, and celebrating the operation. Their families welcomed them with aarti and chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai.'

IG Sundarraj called Basavaraju's killing a remarkable milestone in the anti-Naxal campaign. He said the Maoist leader had played an active role in planning attacks on security forces and public representatives.

The encounter took place during a joint security operation in the Abujmarh forests of Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district. Authorities recovered a large cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, SLR-INSAS carbines, and other arms and ammunition. One DRG jawan was martyred, and several others were injured in the operation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the security forces, calling the outcome a 'remarkable success.' In a post on X, he said, 'Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring peace and progress for our people.'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the operation as historic, noting that this was the first time in three decades of India’s fight against Naxalism that a General Secretary-level Maoist leader had been neutralised.

He added that Basavaraju was considered the backbone of the Naxal movement. Since the conclusion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxals have been arrested and 84 have surrendered in Chhattisgarh.

(ANI)