Three Maoists surrender
They surrendered here before senior Odisha Police and CRPF officers, including IGP, Southern Range, Niti Shekhar, Kandhamal SP and CRPF's 127 battalion commandant.
'They surrendered as they were disillusioned because of the intensified and sustained combing operations, and also due to the attractive surrender policy of the government,' Kandhamal SP Harish B C said. 'We have intensified combing operations in Maoist-affected areas to curb LWE activities in Kandhamal,' Harish added.
The surrendered cadres were involved in several violent incidents in both Odisha and Chhattisgarh. 'We once again appeal to all the Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream,' IGP Niti Shekhar told reporters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
25 minutes ago
- India.com
Inside Operation Akhal – India's Biggest Forest-Based Offensive To Smoke Out Terrorists From J&K's Densest Terrain
Akhal Forest/J&K: Operation Akhal, one of the most high-tech and large-scale counterterrorism offensives in Jammu and Kashmir, entered its sixth day on August 6. Joint forces of the Indian Army, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have zeroed in on the dense Akhal forest, uncovering a terrorist hideout that points to an entrenched and well-equipped presence of militants in the area. Acting on precise intelligence, the joint security forces have cordoned off nearly eight kilometres of forest terrain. Over 1,500 personnel, including elite PARA commandos, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), SOG units of J&K Police and CRPF troops, are involved. Throughout the operation, intermittent firing and explosions shook the region. Six soldiers have sustained injuries. Official confirmation so far acknowledges the killing of one terrorist, whose body has been recovered, although field reports suggest up to three may have been neutralised. Security forces uncovered a fortified terror hideout deep within the Akhal forest, stocked with supplies and gear. The dense terrain provides natural camouflage and has become a strategic refuge for terrorists following intense crackdowns in urban areas after the abrogation of Article 370. Over the past four years, militants have increasingly shifted to forested zones, taking advantage of the cover and adopting guerrilla tactics. Groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and The Resistance Front (TRF) have made forest regions like Akhal their operational bases. Intelligence inputs reveal a sharp decline in local recruitment, with only four local youths joining terror groups in 2025. The vacuum has been filled by Pakistani nationals trained in guerrilla warfare. These foreign terrorists are believed to be responsible for major attacks carried out from forest hideouts over the past few years. Operation Akhal is part of a larger counterinsurgency strategy that includes prior operations such as Operation Mahadev, Shiv Shakti and combing operations in regions like Dachigam, Lolab, Aragam and Shamsawari. Since January 2025, more than 40 terrorists have been killed in forest encounters, including 15 in the Jammu region alone. To tackle this new threat landscape, forces have upgraded their surveillance and combat tools. Operation Akhal marks the use of HAL Rudra attack helicopters equipped with high-resolution thermal imaging, electro-optic tracking and targeting systems developed by Israel's Elbit Systems. These choppers provide critical support by identifying heat signatures of terrorists even in dense foliage. Advanced drones, FPV hexacopters and satellite imagery are providing real-time surveillance. AI-driven analysis tools are helping trace brief communication signals. FPV drones with live feeds enable precise monitoring of terrain and enemy movement, while thermal imagers and night-vision goggles aid in night operations. Ground forces are fully outfitted with the latest weaponry. Army soldiers carry Israeli-made 7.62mm Negev LMGs and AK-203 assault rifles. Rocket launchers and UBGLs help them engage fortified positions. The SOG operates AK-pattern rifles, submachine guns and Sterling SMGs for close encounters. CRPF units mirror this arsenal. Snipers are armed with Sako TRG 42 rifles and SIG716i systems. All personnel wear bulletproof vests and are backed by armoured troop carriers designed for high-altitude and rocky terrain. Operation Akhal is not limited to neutralising militants. Its strategic goal is to dismantle the entire terror infrastructure hidden within the forests. It aims to locate and destroy permanent militant bases that have allowed insurgents to regroup and launch attacks with impunity. The operation is a turning point in the fight against forest-based militancy. By targeting hideouts in difficult terrain using precision warfare and state-of-the-art surveillance, the security forces are sending a message that forests will no longer be a safe haven for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
9 Maoists lay down arms in Bijapur, 6 carried 24L bounty
Raipur: Nine Maoists, including six with a cumulative bounty of Rs 24 lakh, surrendered before police and paramilitary officials in Bijapur district of Bastar division in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. The surrendered rebels included members of company number 1, platoon number 12 and 13 of Marh division, as well as members from the technical team of south Bastar division and DGN (Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada) division. Among them were two area committee members, a DAKMS member, and a commander of the Bhoomkal militia. They were identified as Baksu Oyam carrying Rs 8 lakh bounty, active since 2007, a party member of company number 1, Budhram Potam, carrying cash reward of Rs 5 lakh, an ACM of platoon 12, active since 2000, Hidma alias Hiriya worth Rs 5 lakh, ACM of platoon 13, and those carrying Rs 2 lakh bounty were Mangu Uika alias Toggi from South Bastar's technical team, Roshan Karam alias Ajit from Chinnapalli area committee under DGN division and Manglu Podiyam, a party member from Bhairamgarh area committee. The others were DAKMS members Kamlu Hemla and Budhram Hemla, and Pandru Punem alias Padkhuta, Bhoomkal militia commander of Mankeli, active since 1997. The cadres cited disillusionment with the ideology, internal conflict within the organisation, and aspiration for a peaceful family life as key reasons for leaving the insurgency. Many also acknowledged that rapid infrastructure development, improved healthcare, education, and electricity access in remote villages influenced their decision. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Find These Bugs in Dahuk, Do Something Immediately Undo Police officials stated that since Jan 1, 2025, over 277 Maoists have surrendered, 310 have been arrested, and 131 have been killed in encounters in Bijapur district alone. The trend continues this year with 466 surrenders and 189 Maoists neutralised across Chhattisgarh. SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav urged remaining Maoists to abandon violence. "Return to the mainstream. The state govt is committed to giving you a life of dignity, safety, and opportunity," he said, appealing to Maoists to "reject extremist ideologies propagated by external elements" and embrace peace. Each surrendered Maoist was awarded Rs 50,000 as incentive under the state's surrender and rehabilitation policy. The surrender took place in presence of DIG Dantewada ange Kamalochan Kashyap, DIG CRPF Bijapur B S Negi, SP Bijapur Jitendra Kumar Yadav, and senior officers from the DRG, STF, and CoBRA battalions (201, 202, 210), and CRPF 199 & 85 battalions. Under the new rehabilitation programme, surrendered Maoists are supported with financial aid, housing, education, and job training.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Maoists body, weapon recovered during encounter in Bijapur
Raipur: A Maoist was killed in an ongoing fierce encounter between security forces and insurgents in dense forests of Bijapur district of Bastar division in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. The encounter broke out in morning when a joint team of District Reserve Guards (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and 210th batallion of CoBRA unit launched an anti-Naxal operation, based on credible intelligence inputs about presence of Maoists in western division of Bijapur. Security personnel have recovered Maoist body along with weapons from the encounter site, police said. Police said that the exchange of fire began in the early hours and has continued intermittently. Security forces recovered body of a male Maoist and a weapon during the search operation and in between intermittent firing. "However, due to the ongoing nature of the operation, officials are withholding further details for the safety of the personnel involved," a police statement said. They indicated that the casualties of Maoists may have been more and it will be confirmed after the combing operation. Top officials are monitoring the situation closely, and additional reinforcements are on standby if needed, a police officer said.
