New Delhi [India], May 21 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday commended India’s security forces following the killing of 27 Maoists, including the top CPI-Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju, in a major operation in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district.
In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also hailed the operation, calling it a historic breakthrough in India’s decades-long fight against Naxalism. He confirmed that Basavaraju, the General Secretary of the CPI-Maoist and one of the most senior figures in the movement, was among those killed.
“This is the first time in three decades of Bharat’s battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralized by our forces,” Shah said in a post on X. “A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism.”
Shah highlighted that Basavaraju was considered the backbone of the Naxal movement. He also provided an update on the impact of Operation Black Forest, stating that 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
He further reiterated the government’s goal: “The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before March 31, 2026.”
The deadly encounter occurred in the Abujhmad forest area of Narayanpur, a known Maoist stronghold. According to authorities, the operation targeted Maoist hideouts near Karreguttalu Hill (KGH), close to the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao also confirmed the success of the operation, stating, “After the formation of our government in the state, a programme is running to make Bastar Naxal-free. In Narayanpur, more than two dozen Naxalites have been killed in an encounter. Our security forces are working diligently so that by March 2026, Bastar becomes Naxal-free.”
He added that one soldier was injured during the encounter.
The joint anti-Naxal offensive, dubbed Operation Black Forest, represents a significant step in the government’s continued campaign to dismantle Maoist insurgency networks in the region. (ANI)
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