Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commended the security forces for their decisive action in eliminating 27 Maoists, including top CPI (Maoist) leader Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, during a major anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.
In response to a post by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on X, PM Modi said, “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.”
Earlier, Home Minister Shah had hailed the operation as a “landmark achievement” in India’s long-standing fight against Naxalism. “Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju — the General Secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement,” he wrote.
“This is the first time in three decades of India’s battle against Naxalism that a General Secretary-ranked Maoist leader has been neutralised. I applaud our brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough,” Shah added. He also stated that with the completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Maoists have been arrested and 84 have surrendered across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. The Modi government, he affirmed, is determined to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
The encounter, which took place in the dense forests of Abujhmad in Narayanpur district, is being seen as a major milestone in the country’s efforts to curb left-wing extremism. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, joint teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon launched a coordinated offensive targeting senior Maoist leaders.
As the forces moved through the rugged terrain, Maoists opened indiscriminate fire, leading to a fierce exchange. Security personnel responded swiftly, resulting in the death of 27 Maoists, including Basavaraju.
A large cache of weapons was recovered from the site, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, carbines, and other arms and ammunition.
Police officials confirmed that Basavaraju, around 70 years old and a native of Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, held several influential positions within the CPI (Maoist), including General Secretary, Chief of the Central Military Commission, Polit Bureau Member, and Central Committee Member. He was a key strategist and played a pivotal role in directing Maoist operations across multiple regions.
One DRG jawan was martyred in the line of duty, and his body has been sent to the District Headquarters in Narayanpur. Several other personnel were injured during the encounter but are reported to be in stable condition after receiving prompt medical care.
Despite the difficult terrain and operational challenges, security forces continue to comb the surrounding forest areas to locate any injured or absconding insurgents. Authorities have reiterated their unwavering commitment to eradicating Naxalism and restoring peace in the affected regions.
—IANS