12 Maoists Killed In High-Stakes Operation At Chhattisgarh Tiger Reserve As Amit Shah's Deadline To End Naxalism Nears

In a dramatic showdown deep within the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, security forces eliminated at least 12 suspected Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district on Monday (20 January).

The encounter, part of a meticulously planned joint operation, highlights the ongoing battle against left-wing extremism in the region.

This comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared the government's commitment to eradicating Naxalism in India by 31 March 2026.

The clash erupted early in the morning, just 20 km from the Odisha border, as the joint forces of Chhattisgarh Police, CRPF, CoBRA, and Odisha’s SOG closed in on Maoists from the Sonabeda-Dharambandha Committee.

Acting on precise intelligence, the forces launched their mission on 19 January, leading to a tense and deadly exchange of fire.

“More than 10 Maoists have been gunned down. Search operations are underway, and more information can be provided after the forces complete their search operations and return,” a senior Chhattisgarh Police officer confirmed.

This operation comes on the heels of another deadly encounter on Sunday, where two women Maoists were killed in the same district. A CoBRA jawan sustained minor injuries in that clash, adding a human cost to the relentless pursuit of peace in the region.

Odisha Police officials hinted that the number of casualties might rise as the search continues. “A massive search operation is underway by the police in the area, and the joint operations against Maoists will continue,” an officer stated.

This year alone, over 36 Maoists have been neutralised in Chhattisgarh, marking a significant escalation in counter-insurgency efforts. The ongoing operations have also claimed the lives of nine security personnel and a civilian driver.

While Odisha has managed to confine Maoist activities to isolated pockets, the Kandhamal-Boudh-Kalahandi-Nuapada corridor remains a hotspot due to infiltration from Chhattisgarh. Officials are banking on joint operations and intelligence-sharing to dismantle these networks.