20 Maoists, Including Senior Leader With Rs 1 Crore Bounty, Killed in Chhattisgarh-Odisha Border Encounter

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against Naxalism, 20 Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, near the Odisha border, on Sunday night. Among those neutralized was Jayaram Reddy, alias Chalapati, a senior Maoist leader carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a "major success" and reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating Maoism by March 2026.

Joint Operation by Security Forces

The operation, conducted in the Kularighat reserve forest near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, was a joint effort involving the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA unit, and the Special Operation Group (SOG) from Odisha. Acting on credible intelligence about the presence of Maoists, the forces launched the operation approximately five kilometers from Odisha’s Nuapada district.

Following a fierce exchange of fire, security personnel recovered a large cache of firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the site, including a self-loading rifle. A massive search operation is currently underway to ensure the area is secure.

Amit Shah and Chief Minister Praise Forces

Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the encounter as another "mighty blow to Naxalism." Taking to social media, he stated, "Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralized 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also commended the efforts of the security forces. "This success of the soldiers is commendable. I salute their bravery. Under the double-engine government, Chhattisgarh will get rid of the Maoists by March 2026," he posted on social media, referring to the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state.

Details About Chalapati

Jayaram Reddy, also known as Chalapati, was a senior member of the central committee of the Maoists, the highest decision-making body of the outlawed group. Originally from Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, the 60-year-old leader had been active in the dense forests of Abujhmad in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.

Due to the intensified anti-Maoist operations in Abujhmad, Chalapati had recently shifted his base to areas closer to the Odisha border, seeking a safer operational zone. Known for his strategic acumen, Chalapati had played a crucial role in planning and leading Maoist activities. He was a high-value target for security forces and was accompanied by a personal security detail of 8-10 guards at all times.

Rising Tally of Maoist Casualties

This year, security forces have killed approximately 40 Maoists in separate encounters across Chhattisgarh. Over 200 Maoists were neutralized in 2024, with the Bastar region accounting for 217 of these casualties. The Bastar division encompasses districts such as Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Sukma.

In 2024 alone, over 800 Maoists were arrested, and 802 surrendered. Despite these successes, the fight against Maoism remains costly, with 18 security personnel losing their lives last year, alongside 65 civilians killed in Maoist-related violence.

Government’s Anti-Naxal Strategy

The central and state governments have intensified their efforts to tackle Maoist insurgency in recent years. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a deadline of March 2026 to eradicate Naxalism from the country. The success of operations like the one in Gariaband is seen as a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated efforts by security forces and intelligence agencies.