31 Maoists Killed, No Security Force Casualty: How Chhattisgarh’s Largest Anti-Naxal Operation Was Pulled Off In Maoist Stronghold

In a coordinated effort, security forces in Chhattisgarh conducted the state's largest anti-Naxal operation in its 24-year history.

The mission, carried out inside the Maoist stronghold of Abujhmad, resulted in the death of 31 Maoists, with no casualties on the side of the security forces.

Smruthik Rajanala, Additional Superintendent of Police (Naxal operations) in Dantewada, led over 100 personnel through 16 kilometres of Maoist territory in darkness, with the goal of reaching a hideout without raising an alarm.

The operation was planned to be completed within 12 hours.

Rajanala coordinated with Deputy Superintendent of Police Prashant Dewangan, who led another team from Narayanpur, and the Special Task Force (STF).

The forces aimed to surround the Maoists before dawn, preventing any escape.

The encounter, which took place on Friday, marked the largest such strike in Chhattisgarh’s history, according to officials.

The operation took place in Abujhmad, a region where, according to police, at least 100 of the 188 Maoists killed this year have been gunned down.

Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, noted that nearly 50 anti-Naxal operations were conducted this year under the "Maad Bachao Abhiyan" (Save Maad campaign).

“This year, a series of anti-Naxal operations were conducted in the core of Abhujmad as well as in its periphery. These operations have dealt a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region. The objective is to ensure Maoists don’t get any safe zone in Abhujmad or any other region in Bastar. Now their leadership and cadres are left with only one option – to shun violence and join the mainstream,” he said, Indian Express reported.

The State Intelligence Branch (SIB) provided intelligence that senior Maoist cadres were present near Tultuli village, about 50 kilometres from Dantewada headquarters.

The Maoist group was said to include members of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC).

The security forces faced significant challenges, including crossing the Indravati River and navigating through hilly terrain in poor visibility, mindful of the risk posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“The DRG jawans have been part of many deadly encounters and their experience of conducting night operations was a big advantage,” said Gaurav Rai, Superintendent of Police, Dantewada.

Before dawn, the forces surrounded the Maoists, creating a 5-6 kilometre perimeter.

The encounter lasted seven to eight hours, with over 2,000 bullets and hundreds of grenades fired.

One jawan suffered a minor injury and was evacuated.

The Maoists reportedly attempted to escape by forming a single line and firing on one side of the cordon, but the forces responded and foiled their attempt.

By Saturday, 15 Maoists had been identified, with a total bounty of Rs 1.3 crore on them.

Among the dead was Niti alias Urmila, a DKSZC member with a Rs 25 lakh bounty. She had been part of the Maoist organisation since 1998 and was the fourth DKSZC member to have been killed this year.

Recovered weapons included an LMG, AK-57 rifles, SLR rifles, INSAS rifles, and grenade launchers.

In total, 188 Naxals have been killed in 2024, with 706 arrested and 733 having surrendered, according to Sundarraj.

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