Odisha police recovers explosives in anti-Maoist operation
Bargarh SP Prahalad Sahai Meena on Monday said the operation was launched on May 30 on the basis of credible intelligence inputs regarding movement of armed operatives of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit in the dense forest.
As part of area domination exercise, the DVF team scoured suspected hideouts and recovered several items believed to have been used by Maoist operatives for subversive activities. The seizure list included a gelatin stick, 25 detonators, two bundles of wire, a radio set, stretchable ropes, red banner cloth and a range of daily-use materials including haversacks, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, utensils, clothing and Naxal literature.
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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Wife's arrest reignites hunt for Ashanna, India's most elusive Maoist commander
Hyderabad: The long-drawn trail of one of India's most dangerous Maoist leaders, Takkalapalli Vasudeva Rao, alias Ashanna, has reignited after his wife, Sri Vidya, was arrested by Telangana police in Hyderabad on July 24. A senior cadre of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), Sri Vidya's arrest has turned the spotlight back on Ashanna—a top strategist and executioner in the Maoist insurgency who has eluded capture for over three decades. According to intelligence sources, Ashanna, also called Rupesh, is now believed to be operating from the dense Abujhmadh forests in Chhattisgarh, continuing to direct lethal guerrilla operations across central India. His reputation as a master tactician and bomb-maker is matched only by his ability to vanish into the forested terrain, evading even the most sophisticated security crackdowns. A life in rebellion You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Born in Polonipalli village in Warangal (now Mulugu district), Ashanna hailed from a middle class Velama family. After studying at an ITI Polytechnic, he joined the People's War Group (PWG) in 1991. Within a decade, he was involved in over 48 criminal cases in Warangal district alone, including attacks on police stations and sabotage of railway lines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Benteng Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo His meteoric rise began with his appointment as head of the PWG's action team in Hyderabad in 1999. A decade later, he was inducted into the CPI (Maoist) central committee. Intelligence sources suspect that he may have been elevated as a Central Committee member. However, Ashanna, in an interview said he is in-charge of the North-West Sub-Zonal Committee of Dandakaranya of CPI (Maoist). Fluent in Telugu, Hindi, and Gondi, Ashanna carries an AK-47 and a ₹20 lakh bounty declared by the Telangana govt. High-profile killings Ashanna's name comes to mind in some of the most audacious and politically destabilising Maoist strikes. He masterminded the 2000 landmine attack that killed then Andhra Pradesh home minister A Madhava Reddy, and the daylight gunning down of IPS officer KS Umesh Chandra in Hyderabad in 1999. His sensational strike came in 2003—a failed assassination attempt on then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Alipiri ghat road, near Tirupati, using claymore mines. Though Naidu survived, the attack marked a turning point in the state's anti-Naxal policy. Ashanna was also linked to multiple assassination attempts on ex-CM N Janardhan Reddy in 2003 and 2007. In the latter attack, three aides were killed. Forensics pointed to his trademark use of remote-detonated landmines. He is suspected of involvement in the 2019 IED blast in Gadchiroli that killed 15 Maharashtra policemen and had even allegedly camped in Delhi to plot a high-level assassination before escaping a police raid. Ashanna has also served as a military trainer at the Buniyadi Communist Training School in Dandakaranya. His instruction in explosives, intelligence gathering, and ambush tactics have shaped many of the CPI (Maoist)'s current operatives. He also headed the group's military intelligence unit, guiding operations across Telangana, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Despite nearly being captured in Mahbubnagar in 2010 and false reports of his death in 2018, Ashanna remains India's most wanted Maoist figure. A tactical opening? In a joint operation by the Special Intelligence Bureau and Miyapur police, Sri Vidya was arrested from a rented house in Hafeezpet, Hyderabad. A senior member of the Dandakaranya state committee, she too carried a ₹20 lakh reward. Maoist literature and a laptop were seized, but no solid intelligence on Ashanna has surfaced yet. "We believe he may now go deeper into the forests or shift entirely," said an officer. Still, security forces are hopeful the arrest might offer the breakthrough they've sought for over three decades. However, in a recent interview to the media, Ashanna has put forth truce proposal and a ceasefire to govt following the Kagar encounter killings.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Four Maoists killed in Bijapur encounter carried 17L bounty
Raipur: Four Maoists including two women and two high-ranking commanders carrying a combined bounty of Rs 17 lakh, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense forests along the Basaguda-Gangalur border of Bijapur district in Bastar division. The operation was launched by District Reserve Guard (DRG) based on specific intelligence inputs, targeted Maoist activity in the highly sensitive southwestern region of the district. Officials said that the encounter began on the evening of July 26 and continued intermittently through the night. Following the exchange of fire, security personnel recovered the bodies of four Maoists from the encounter site. A cache of arms and ammunition was also seized, including one SLR rifle with three magazines and 15 live rounds, one INSAS rifle with three magazines and 40 live rounds, one .303 rifle with 16 live rounds, one BGL launcher with three shells, a single-shot .315 rifle, a 12-bore shotgun with 12 live cartridges, eight live AK-47 rounds, three small BGL shells, a grenade, and several items of daily use and Maoist literature. Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav said the operation was carried out in response to confirmed intelligence regarding Maoist cadre movements under the South Sub-Zonal Bureau. The success came after careful planning and effective execution in challenging terrain. Key Peronalities In Maoist Hierarchy Preliminary identification of the slain Maoists revealed them to be key figures in the Maoist hierarchy. Hunga, an Area Committee Member (ACM) of Platoon No. 10 under the South Sub-Zonal Bureau, carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. Another commander, Lakkhe, also an ACM associated with Platoon No. 30 of the same bureau, was wanted with a reward of Rs 5 lakh. The third, Bhime, also an ACM, had a similar bounty. The fourth was Nihal alias Rahul, a party member who served as the personal guard to Bureau Communication Team Head Santosh; he had a bounty of Rs 2 lakh. These individuals were known to be involved in planning and executing violent ambushes against security forces in the region. Planning, Coordination Involved In Op Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj said that this operation builds upon the strategic gains made by security forces in 2024. "From January 2024 to July 2025, security operations have led to the elimination of 425 hardcore Maoists across Bastar. These successes are the result of precise tactical planning, coordination, and growing support from local communities," he said. IG Sundarraj also emphasized the extreme conditions under which the forces are operating. "Despite persistent rainfall, treacherous jungle terrain, and the inherent risks of monsoon operations, our troops are undeterred and continue to perform with unwavering commitment," he added. GFX: TOP COMMANDERS SHOT DEAD Maoists killed Reward Hunga, ACM, Platoon No. 10 under South Sub-Zonal Bureau - Rs 5 lakh. Lakkhe, ACM, Platoon No. 30 of South Sub-Zonal Bureau - Rs 5 lakh Bhime, ACM - Rs 5 lakh Nihal alias Rahul, personal guard to Bureau Communication Team head Santosh - Rs 2 lakh.
NDTV
14 hours ago
- NDTV
Tripura Allies BJP And Tipra Motha Workers Clash During Mann Ki Baat Broadcast
Guwahati: In a major political development in Tripura, members of the BJP and its key ally Tipra Motha clashed on Sunday at an area where BJP supporters claimed to have assembled to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat. The police said they have filed a case following the clash that broke out in Khowai district. Political analysts said the incident indicated the growing strain in the relationship between the two allies in Tripura. "I have no idea, but local people know who attacked first. They know the culprits as well, so they filed a police case. The police will take strong action and arrest the suspects," Triprua Chief Minister Manik Saha told reporters. According to police sources, some 30 BJP functionaries and their supporters were assembled at a house in the district's Asharambari assembly constituency to listen to Mann Ki Baat. A large group of Tipra Motha workers and supporters also reached the place. The clash broke out after that. The immediate cause is not known. Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Manikya Debburman in a recorded video posted on social media confirmed the clash happened. "We don't want any political violence in Tripura. If we the Tiprasa still keep fighting for the sake of a political flag, one day we will be left with no land. The BJP should also be careful. Many CPI(M) supporters are either in BJP or Motha and indulging in all these," he said. Eight motorcycles and two cars were damaged in the clash. A large number of police personnel have been posted in the area. Tension is still high, sources said.
