Security forces in Bastar eyeing on PLGA platoon no. 1, the new elite protection unit for secret transit of senior Maoist commanders in Abujhmarh

Time of India

6 days ago

RAIPUR: Security forces in Chhattisgarh have uncovered a new layer of the Maoist insurgency network which is a specialized platoon unit, created to provide secure transit for top Maoist commanders between districts and even across state borders.
Now, they are on target of security forces.
Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj told TOI, 'The existence and function of this covert platoon, previously under the radar, came to light following a fierce encounter in the deep forests of Abujhmarh on July 18, in which six Maoists were gunned down, including DVCM Rahul Punem who was commander of the unit. This unit, known as PLGA platoon number 1, has emerged as a key operational link, ensuring the safe movement of Maoist leadership between core areas in Chhattisgarh and neighboring Odisha.'
This elite and highly trained group, known as a 'covering party', serve as a heavily armed shield during covert movement of Politburo and Central Committee members of the banned outfit through the dense forests of Bastar and neighbouring states.
IG Sundarraj said, 'PLGA platoon number 01 of the banned CPI (Maoist) was constituted in March 2024 as a strategic off-shoot of the larger Maoist insurgency structure. It operated under the command of DVCM Rahul Punem, whose body was recovered from Pariyadi-Kakur jungles of Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district, on July 18 after a high-intensity exchange of fire.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription!
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
The platoon's primary objective was to launch guerrilla attacks on security forces across the Marh division and the unit actively supported LOS (Local Organisation Squad) in maintaining a supply corridor between Marh and North Bastar, and securing operational zones like Sonpur–Maroda, often through ambushes, IED planting, and reconnaissance missions.
IG Sundarraj added, 'This platoon recently neutralized, was only 15 months old and included handpicked armed cadres from multiple Maoist formations, and was brought together specifically to protect senior leaders during transit.
Meanwhile, PLGA company number 7 provides close protection to senior Maoist figures. Evidence of this was seen during the top Maoist Basavaraju's encounter on May 21, where nearly two dozen cadres of company number 7 were found dead in the Abujhmarh forests.'
The July 18 encounter, he said, marked the first confirmed strike against this transit security unit after more than a year of surveillance and intelligence tracking.
While six of them were killed, there's high possibility of several such units in existence and intel inputs would be required to track their locations.
Strategic Setback to Maoist Security Network
The neutralization of the PLGA platoon number 1 is a severe blow to the Maoist leadership network, as it cripples their ability to safely move commanders across the Red Corridor, a CRPF official in the region said.
This was not an ordinary foot soldier unit, its members were trained guerrillas tasked with protecting leaders like Basavaraju and Sonu.
With the disruption of this elite platoon, security agencies believe the Maoist insurgency is steadily losing ground in its own territory.
As security forces adapt their strategies to target such elite protection units, it is expected that leadership mobility within the CPI (Maoist) will be severely restricted, leaving senior commanders more exposed than ever before.