In a significant counterinsurgency operation, security forces have neutralized 16 Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. The operation, which began on Sunday, saw the recovery of 14 Naxal bodies initially, with two more found later, bringing the total toll to 16.
Inspector General of Raipur Zone Amresh Mishra confirmed the death toll, adding that a substantial cache of weapons was recovered from the site, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, and other automatic firearms. The operation is still underway as forces continue to comb the area for further evidence and militants.
The operation was carried out by a joint team consisting of the Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalions, and the SOG Nuapada. According to Gariaband’s Superintendent of Police, Nikhil Rakhecha, the mission also led to the killing of a high-ranking Naxalite, Jairam alias Chalpati, a Central Committee member who had a reward of Rs 1 crore on his head. Rakhecha described the operation as a major success for the security forces.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the forces’ efforts, calling the operation “a mighty blow to Naxalism” and reaffirming the government’s commitment to a Naxal-free India. He said, “With the combined efforts of the CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police, the security forces have neutralized 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. This marks another step towards the end of Naxalism in our country.”
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also hailed the success of the operation, particularly the elimination of Jairam. “The killing of a CC member, especially one with such a large bounty on his head, is a historic achievement. This marks a significant moment in the fight against Naxalism,” he said, adding that the ongoing operations would eradicate Naxalism across India by March 2026.
The operation received broad political support, with NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule expressing her backing for the government’s stance on eliminating Naxalism. “When it comes to national security, we all stand united behind the government in its efforts to eliminate terrorism,” she said.
(Inputs from ANI)