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NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
India On Track To Eradicating Maoism By Next Year? What The Numbers Show
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly said that the government is committed to eradicating Maoism from India by March 2026, and the goal got a fillip when at least 27 Maoists - including top leader Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraju, who carried a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore - were killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh earlier this month. Data accessed by NDTV shows that the government and the security forces are inching closer towards the target of ending the Maoist movement, which began in 1967. Home ministry data reveals that there were 1,936 incidents of Maoist violence in 2010, which came down to just 374 in 2024 - a drop of 81%. The number of Maoist-affected districts has also seen a steep fall, going from 126 in 2013 to 70 in 2021 and just 18 as of April this year. Death Count Decreasing Too In terms of civilian deaths in Maoist violence, the number was 720 in 2010, came down to 150 in 2019 and stood at 131 last year, up from 106 in 2023. There have been 19 such deaths until March this year. When the aggregate of deaths of civilians and security forces' personnel is taken into account, the figure was 1,005 in 2010 and went down by 85% to 150 last year. Infrastructure Targeting Over the years, Maoists have been targeting infrastructure such as railway property, public and private sector units, telephone exchanges, mobile towers, roads and schools. These incidents have also decreased from 365 in 2010 to 75 in 2017, and just 25 in 2024. Naxals Killed According to reports, over 150 Maoists have been killed in just the first few months of this year. The figure was 136 in 2017, went up to 380 in 2023 and stood at 290 last year. After the encounter in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur earlier this month, Home Minister Shah had said it was the first time in three decades that a general secretary of the CPI-Maoist had been killed. "Also glad to share that after the completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026," he had said.
NDTV
24-05-2025
- NDTV
Maoist With Rs 10 Lakh Bounty Killed In Jharkhand, Days After Top Leader's Encounter
Ranchi: A senior Maoist leader was killed by security forces in Jharkhand's Latehar on Saturday, days after the encounter of top Maoist leader, Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraju, in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur, sources said. Pappu Lohara, who was carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh, was the leader of the Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad, a renegade Maoist outfit. He was killed along with his aide, Prabhat Ganjhu, who was carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. Another member of the group, who was injured, was arrested, and an INSAS rifle was recovered from him, sources said. The encounter comes three days after Maoist leader Basavaraju was killed in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district. He was among 27 Maoists who were killed after a gunfight that lasted for over 50 hours and took place along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border. Basavaraju was formerly the head of the Central Military Commission and later became the General Secretary, the highest position in the Maoist hierarchy. He was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and police forces in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore had been placed on him.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Top Maoist leader among 27 killed in Chhattishgarh encounter
Top CPI (Maoist) leader Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraju is among the 27 Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Abujhmad area of Narayanpur district in Chhattishgarh, police said on Wednesday. The encounter, which lasted for nearly 50 hours, took place along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border. "A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, the topmost leader and backbone of the Naxal movement. This is the first time in three decades of Bharat's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by our forces. I applaud our brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough," Home minister Amit Shah posted on X. Keshavrao was wanted by the NIA and police forces in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and carried a bounty of ₹1.5 crore. Officials say his death is a major blow to insurgency in the region, potentially disrupting Maoist leadership and regrouping efforts. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai lauded security personnel for eliminating Keshavrao, along with 26 other dreaded Maoists in a fierce encounter, and the leadership of Narendra Modi in a decisive battle against Naxalism. "This success achieved by the soldiers is commendable. I salute their bravery," he said. Sai paid tribute to a martyred DRG jawan , who was killed in the encounter.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Top Maoist leader Nambala Keshavrao among 26 gunned down in Chhattisgarh encounter
Credit: TOI HYDERABAD: A top CPI (Maoist) leader, Nambala Keshavrao, also known by his alias Basavaraj, was among 26 Naxalites gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. Police said that the encounter broke out when Naxalites opened fire on teams of District Reserve Guards during an operation in Abhujmad area following intelligence inputs about the presence of senior cadres of the Mad division of Maoists. A 'supporter' of police was killed and a police jawan was injured in the gunfight, they said. The encounter took place in dense forests between Abhujmad and Indravati national park area when a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) of police from four districts was out on anti-Naxal operation, said deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma. "More than 26 Naxalites, some of them probably top cadres, were killed. One supporter of the police was killed and a police jawan was injured in the action," said Sharma, who holds the home portfolio. Combing operations are still underway, he added. The gunfight is still underway. Top CPI (Maoist) leader and General Secretary killed The operation took place near Maad, a remote Maoist stronghold situated between Narayanpur and Bijapur districts, according to intelligence sources in Telangana. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The area is known to be a hotbed of insurgent activity. Basavaraj, who was the General Secretary of CPI (Maoist), is believed to be among at least 26 Maoists killed during the exchange of fire with COBRA commandos and Chhattisgarh police. Other prominent names reportedly killed include Madhu, a key leader of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, and Naveen, associated with the outfit's publication wing Jung . Basavaraj had previously served as the head of the group's Central Military Commission (CMC) before becoming General Secretary. The position is traditionally filled by the military head of the organisation. Intelligence officials say his death could be a major setback for the insurgent group's leadership and ability to regroup. Security officials say the encounter was part of Operation Kagar , an ongoing offensive targeting Maoist strongholds. The campaign follows earlier phases conducted in Karreguttalu Hills and the Abujhmad forests. Paramilitary units involved had briefly diverted to participate in Operation Sindoor but have since resumed combing operations in central India. Originally from Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, Basavaraj joined the Maoist movement during his student years in Warangal, where he was active in the Radical Students Union. He was wanted by the National Investigation Agency and police forces in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
