Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 5 (ANI): In a major victory for anti-Naxal operations, senior Naxal leader and Central Committee Member Gautam, also known as Sudhakar, was killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in the National Park area of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday, confirmed Bastar Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj. Gautam carried a bounty of Rs 40 lakh on his head.
During the post-encounter search, security personnel recovered an AK-47 rifle along with a significant cache of explosives, arms, and ammunition.
The operation was a joint effort by the Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).
Gautam’s killing marks a major strategic gain for security forces and follows the neutralisation of CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Basavaraju on May 21, 2025.
As a senior Maoist leader, Gautam was responsible for multiple violent attacks resulting in the deaths of many innocent tribal civilians and security personnel. He was also in charge of the Maoist ideological training school (RePOS), where he played a key role in indoctrinating and radicalising youth with violent and anti-national ideologies.
This loss deals a severe blow to the Maoist leadership, especially in the Dandakaranya region, and is expected to weaken the outlawed organisation further.
According to officials, 186 Maoist cadres have been neutralised in counter-insurgency operations across the Bastar Range so far in 2025. Between 2024 and 2025, more than 403 Maoists have been killed during encounters with security forces in the region.
In a related development, 18 Naxals, including four from the feared Battalion No. 1, surrendered to police in Sukma district on May 27, influenced by the state government’s rehabilitation initiative, Niyad Nellanar. This surrender was a positive boost to ongoing efforts to combat Naxal violence in South Bastar.
Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran G Chavan stated, “Influenced by the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, 18 Naxals have surrendered today. Four Naxalites are associated with Battalion No. 1, and Naxals from four battalions have surrendered, including those active in South Bastar.”
Chavan assured full support and rehabilitation benefits to the surrendered Naxals under the government’s surrender policy and appealed to others to come forward and surrender.
(ANI)
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