Latest news with #anti-Maoist
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh: 25 Maoists including top SZCM surrender in Bijapur with collective bounties worth Rs 1.15 cr
RAIPUR: In a major blow to the CPI (Maoists), 25 hardcore cadres, including a top State Zonal Committee Member (SZCM) carrying a bounty of Rs 25 lakh, surrendered before senior police and paramilitary officials in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on Thursday. The total bounty on the surrendered Maoists amounts to Rs 1.15 crore. The surrender was facilitated under the Chhattisgarh government's revised surrender and rehabilitation policy and senior police officials briefing the press said that it marks a turning point in the state's sustained counter-insurgency efforts, particularly in deep forested zones like Bijapur, where new security camps and road infrastructure have begun reaching previously untouched areas. The highest-ranking surrender was Ramanna Irpa alias Jagdish alias Vikesh, a 37-year-old SZCM and commander-in-chief of Company number 8, who was active since 2002 and carried a Rs 25 lakh bounty. He was strategist behind multiple high-profile ambushes on security forces in Odisha and Chhattisgarh and his job was to oversee arms supply, jungle warfare training camps, and inter-state coordination. Police said that as per the records, he was active since 2002 and was considered the 'nerve center' of CPI (Maoist) operations in Odisha's southern corridor and had been operating in the 'Red Triangle' between Malkangiri, Sukma, and Bijapur. Another cadre Sukku Kalmu alias Vinod Karma on the rank of Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) operated in National Park Area Committee and led Maoist student fronts. He carried Rs 8 lakh bounty and was active since1999. He was known for radicalizing tribal youth through front organizations and leading armed protests. Played a key role in enforcing Maoist rule in the Abujhmarh forest belt. Police officials, including Bastar Range IG P Sundarraj, Dantewada DIG Kamalochan Kashyap, and Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav, along with CRPF, CoBRA and DRG were present during the formal surrender. SP Yadav said, 'This is a significant dent in the Maoist leadership hierarchy. The surrender of an SZCM shows the ideological and operational breakdown within the outfit.' In statements made during the debriefing, many Maoists cited internal dissent, exploitation within the outfit, and disillusionment with extremist ideology as major reasons for quitting. Several cadres mentioned their desire to 'rejoin the mainstream' and live peaceful lives with their families. SP Jitendra Yadav urged remaining Maoist operatives to abandon violence and take advantage of the government's rehabilitation scheme. 'The door to peaceful and dignified life is wide open. Your families want you back. Leave the false promises of outside elements behind,' he appealed. Since January 2025, Bijapur district has witnessed intensified anti-Maoist operations, resulting in significant setbacks for the insurgent network. Over this period, 242 Maoists have surrendered, choosing to join the mainstream under the state's rehabilitation policy. In addition, 300 cadres have been arrested, and 127 Maoists have been killed in various encounters across the region.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No More Likes, Leaks or Reels: Chhattisgarh security forces go offline social media to keep ops secret in Red zone
Representational image RAIPUR: In a sweeping new directive aimed at enhancing troop safety and operational integrity, security forces deployed in Maoist-affected Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, have been directed to delete all social media applications from their mobile phones. The directive comes amid rising concerns that viral content 'shared inadvertently by personnel' was compromising operational secrecy and putting lives at risk. The order issued by Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj, applies to jawans and officers deployed across all seven districts of Bastar, where anti-Maoist operations are frequently conducted under extreme conditions. Speaking to TOI, Bastar IG P Sundarraj said, 'It in view of confidentiality of anti-Naxal operations and the safety of personnel involved in those operations. The directives have been issued to all security force personnel deployed in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas with regard to usage of social media platforms. 'To ensure that no sensitive or classified information is inadvertently shared online, few proactive steps have been taken as a part of our broader strategy to strengthen security protocols and safeguard the identity and confidentiality of our forces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Inadvertent use of social media during high-risk operations poses significant security concerns, therefore, all concerned personnel have been urged to exercise utmost caution and strictly adhere to the guidelines issued in this regard,' IG Sundarraj told TOI. The decision reportedly follows a spate of incidents where sensitive photos, videos, and updates from live encounters were circulated online, including footage from a recent operation involving top Maoist leader Basva Raju. The viral material revealed details that could be used by Maoist operatives to understand troop movement and tactics. Digital Silence for Tactical Safety According to the directives, security personnel have now been asked to completely remove apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube from their phones, refrain from uploading or consuming social media content during and after operations, avoid using mobile phones unnecessarily while on duty in sensitive zones, submit their phones for post-operation checks to detect any possible information leaks and abstain from any form of photography, videography, or voice recordings during missions. It's about the safety of our men and the success of operations. Social media can't become a weak link in our tactical planning, IG said. Bastar remains one of the most intense conflict zones in India, with at least two worst and insurgency-hit districts of the country. In such terrain, where visibility, coordination, and strategy are already challenged by weather and geography, the added risk of digital leaks has become a top concern. By enforcing digital silence and increased scrutiny, the police hope to preserve operational integrity, protect their personnel from legal and physical risks, and reduce the psychological warfare advantage often gained by Maoist propaganda units through online material, an official said.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
Explosives unearthed in Kandhamal; Maoists' plot foiled
Bhubaneswar: Ina major breakthrough for anti-Maoist operations in Odisha, security forces uncovered a substantial cache of explosives and tactical equipment during a combing operation in Kandhamal district. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a team from the District Voluntary Force (DVF) discovered the Maoist dump deep within Guma reserved forest near Sinahibali village, under the jurisdiction of Belgarh police station, police said. The recovered materials include 564 electrical detonators, 77 non-electrical detonators, four remote controls, two electrical sensors, two battery inputs, one electrical switch, a steel drum with cover and a steel tiffin carrier. Officials believe the cache was intended for use in ambushes targeting security personnel engaged in patrol and combing operations in the region. Kandhamal SP Harish B C confirmed that the operation was carried out with maximum caution, involving a bomb disposal squad that first sanitised the area for booby traps and pressure bombs before unearthing the dump. The forested terrain of Kandhamal, known for its dense cover and strategic value to Maoist insurgents, has long posed challenges to law enforcement agencies. However, recent operations have intensified surveillance and combing efforts, leading to a series of successful recoveries. This latest seizure follows a string of anti-Maoist actions in the region. On June 30, two senior Maoist leaders from Chhattisgarh were gunned down in an encounter in Pushungia forest under Baliguda police limits. A separate operation earlier this month yielded rifles, revolvers, cartridges and communication devices from a Maoist camp. Sources within the security establishment said the recovered detonators and remote devices were likely part of a larger plan to disrupt ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. With Maoist activity reportedly spilling over from Chhattisgarh into Odisha's forests, Kandhamal has become a focal point for coordinated operations aimed at dismantling insurgent infrastructure. Authorities have launched a follow-up investigation to trace the origin of the explosives and identify any remaining Maoist operatives in the vicinity. The success of the DVF team underscores the growing effectiveness of Odisha's anti-Naxal strategy, combining intelligence-led operations with tactical precision. As combing operations continue, officials remain vigilant against further threats in the region.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
In INDIA Bloc's Virtual Meet, Some Complaints And Demands: 10 Points
New Delhi: Top leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc held a virtual meeting on Saturday to decide what issues they should take up during the monsoon session of parliament. The meeting resembled a complaint session with many disagreements, sources said. Here's your 10-point cheat sheet on the INDIA bloc meeting Communist Party of India leader D Raja indirectly objected to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's comment on the Left's ideology in Kerala and its comparison to the BJP's ideological mentor RSS. Mr Raja said senior leaders should be mindful of limits when criticising alliance partners. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, and Ram Gopal Yadav demanded that such meetings be called regularly. The next meeting of the INDIA bloc could be in the first week of August, sources said. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested raising the issue of full statehood for the Union Territory during the parliament session. The members agreed, and also decided to raise the issue of the Pahalgam terror attack. Dipankar Bhattacharya demanded that the issue of the central government's anti-Maoist campaign and the Maoists' demand for a ceasefire be raised. The Trinamool Congress's Abhishek Banerjee asked if the Pahalgam attack was an intelligence failure, then why did the Intelligence Bureau chief get an extension? "Pegasus is being used against the Opposition, instead of terrorists. The government is trying to bring the NRC through SIR. E-squared [ED and EC] have become puppets of the government," Mr Banerjee said. The India bloc's 24 member parties attended the virtual meeting. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was absent, signalling a departure from the bloc's line of thinking and strategy. The other key attendees included Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. After the meeting, Congress leader and Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, said there was complete consensus about the concern over national security as it was being compromised in the BJP regime. He said the INDIA bloc has expressed concerns over the repeated claims made by US President Donald Trump that he mediated the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He said Mr Trump has so far made the claims 24 times, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept quiet and not responded. Mr Tiwari said INDIA bloc parties expressed their concern over SIR in Bihar. He said it was felt that there was an undeclared Emergency during which voters' names were being removed from the list.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Waive ₹13,300 cr. dues for CRPF deployment for anti-Maoist operations in Jharkhand: Soren to Shah
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding that the Centre waive ₹13,300-crore dues in lieu of deployment of CRPF for carrying out anti-Maoists operations in the State. If the State is forced to pay such a huge amount, it will adversely impact development schemes in Jharkhand, Mr. Soren said in a letter to Mr. Shah. 'It is the joint responsibility of the state and central governments to root out extremism... I urge the Centre to completely waive the pending dues of ₹13,299.69 crore to be paid by the state government in lieu of the deputation of Central Reserve Police Force for conducting anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand,' Mr. Soren said. More than 400 police personnel were killed in the anti-Maoist operations, as Jharkhand remains an extremist-hit State since its creation, he said in the letter on Friday (July 18, 2025) evening. 'I expect cooperation and a positive attitude from the Centre in waiving the dues under cooperative federalism,' Mr. Soren said. The CM cited multiple challenges the State faced in executing development schemes due to paucity of funds. 'After the Covid-19 pandemic, the state government is engaged in economic revival, dealing with disasters and successful implementation of other public welfare schemes. Due to its limited resources, the financial burden on the state has increased a lot,' the letter stated. In the Maoist-eradication campaign, the State government has been conducting operations with the help of its available resources and the CRPF, he said. As a result of this, there has been a significant reduction in extremist activities in the State, Mr. Soren said. The Jharkhand Police had on Friday (July 18) said a massive manhunt was underway to nab 55 Maoists, including top CPI (Maoist) commanders, carrying a cumulative bounty of ₹8.45 crore.
