Top CPI (M) leader Basavraj among 30 Naxals killed in Chhattisgarh operation
CPI(Maoist) general secretary N Keshava Rao alias Basavraj
NEW DELHI: Top CPI(Maoist) leader
Nambala Keshava Rao
alias Basavraj is among the around 27-30
Naxals killed
in an
intelligence-based operation
by the security forces in Narayanpur, according to
Chhattisgarh government
sources.
Sources indicated that several top Naxal commanders and wanted insurgents are among those neutralised in the operation, which was on for the past three days.
Chhattisgarh government and CRPF sources told TOI that apart from Basavraj, other senior CPI(Maoist) leaders may be among the deceased.
Their identities are being established or confirmed before putting out an official list.
Basavraj, aged 68 years, was CPI(Maoist) general secretary and member of its Politburo, Central committee and the Central Military Commission. He hailed from Jiyyannapeta in Srikakulam district of Telangana and had done engineering from the Regional Engineering College, Warangal.
Basavraj carried a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head, declared by NIA and various state governments including Chhattisgarh govt. Known by at least 8 aliases — Gaganna, Prakash, Krishna, Vijay, Basavraj, Umesh, Raju and Kamlu — Keshava Rao had taken over the reins of CPI(Maoist) from Ganapathy after the latter stepped back due to age and unspecified ailments.
The major anti-Naxal operation in Narayanpur, following the largest ever, 21-day Operation Blackforest in Karreguttalu Hills on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, killed 31
Maoists
and led to recovery of a huge cache of weapons and Naxal supplies.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday commended the courage and determination of the security personnel involved in the Narayanpur operation. He stated, 'Our brave soldiers have been standing firm for three days, facing extremely challenging terrain with unmatched dedication and bravery. This fight is not just against Naxals but in favor of peace and development. The entire state salutes their spirit.
'
The search operation is still underway, with sources indicating that recoveries may include a large cache of weapons and other materials.
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