IN a major success for security forces, 31 Maoists were neutralised in a meticulously planned anti-Naxal operation jointly conducted by the Chhattisgarh and Telangana police forces in the Karregutta hills over a period of 21 days. The operation, which began on April 21 and concluded on May 11, is being described as one of the most effective counter-insurgency drives in the region in recent years. Addressing a joint press conference at the New Police Line in Bijapur on Wednesday evening, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam and CRPF Director General GP Singh termed the operation ‘historic’. According to officials, 28 of the 31 slain Maoists have been identified so far. The deceased carried a collective bounty of Rs 1.72 crore. Efforts are on to ascertain the identity of the remaining ultras. Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav, who led the field operations, informed that the security forces were engaged in 21 encounters during the three-week campaign.

 

Eighteen jawans of the CoBRA and DRG units sustained injuries—mostly due to IED blasts. All injured personnel are reported to be stable and are undergoing treatment. A significant breakthrough came when the forces unearthed a Maoist supply dump containing 12,000 kg of ration—indicating plans by the extremists to sustain long-term presence in the inhospitable terrain. During the operation, 214 Maoist bunkers and hideouts were destroyed and 450 IEDs recovered, of which only 15 exploded. Security personnel also recovered a cache of arms from the encounter sites, including INSAS rifles, SLRs, BGLs and sniper weapons. Daily-use articles found alongside the weapons further pointed towards the rebels’ deep entrenchment in the area. SP Yadav noted that troops operated in extremely challenging conditions, with temperatures soaring to 45 degrees Celsius and difficult terrain causing dehydration among personnel. Despite the odds, the morale remained high and the objectives clear.

 

Preliminary assessment suggests that some top Maoist leaders could be among the dead or injured. Given the dense forest and rugged topography, officials believe that more bodies may still be lying unrecovered. As many as 17 criminal cases have been registered in connection with the encounters. Special investigation teams have been formed to probe further. Central agencies like the NIA and SIA have also been approached for assistance in tracking the remaining operatives. Officials affirmed that anti-Maoist operations will continue with greater intensity until peace is fully restored in the region. With strategic foothold now established in Karregutta, the campaign is being seen as a decisive step in the ongoing battle against Left-Wing Extremism.