In a major blow to Maoist insurgency, Basavaraju, the General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist) and one of India’s most wanted Naxal leaders, was killed during a fierce encounter with security forces in the Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh. Alongside him, more than 26 Naxals were neutralised in the gunfight which took place near the Narayanpur-Bijapur border, according to police officials.

Basavaraju, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head, was a top-ranking Maoist strategist and mastermind behind several deadly attacks on both security personnel and civilians. His death marks a significant victory for the Indian security forces battling left-wing extremism in the region.

The operation was launched by teams from the District Reserve Guards (DRG) of four districts, acting on credible intelligence about the presence of senior Maoist cadres belonging to the Mad division. As the forces moved into the Abhujmad area, they were met with heavy fire from Naxalites, triggering a prolonged gunfight that was still underway as of the latest updates.

This encounter follows another massive anti-Naxal operation earlier this month when security forces eliminated 31 notorious Naxals in the Kurraguttalu Hills on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had hailed that operation as the biggest ever in the fight against Naxalism, noting that it was completed in just 21 days without any casualties among the security personnel.

In a social media post on X, Amit Shah praised the bravery and strategic success of the CRPF, STF, and DRG forces, stating, “The hill on which the red terror once reigned, today the tricolour is flying proudly.” He highlighted that the Kurraguttalu Hills served as the unified headquarters for major Naxal organizations such as the PLGA Battalion 1, DKSZC, TSC, and CRC, where training, strategy formulation, and weapons development took place.

Home Minister Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He assured citizens of India’s determination to achieve a Naxal-free Bharat, reinforcing the central government’s resolve to restore peace and development in affected regions.

Director General of the CRPF, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, confirmed that 31 Naxals were neutralised in the earlier operation, with 28 identities confirmed. This latest encounter in Narayanpur further strengthens the security forces’ momentum in dismantling Naxal infrastructure and leadership.

The ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, marked by strategic intelligence and coordinated action among various paramilitary forces, continue to weaken the Maoist network’s operational capabilities across central India. The death of Basavaraju is expected to disrupt the CPI (Maoist) chain of command and impair their ability to orchestrate future attacks.

As security forces maintain pressure on remaining insurgents, the government’s vision of a Naxal-free India moves closer to reality, promising enhanced security and socio-economic progress in previously conflict-ridden areas.

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