Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that Abujhmar and North Bastar districts in Chhattisgarh, long considered strongholds of Maoist insurgency, have been officially declared free of Naxal terror.
Sharing the milestone on X, Shah described the achievement as ‘a matter of immense pleasure’, marking a dramatic turnaround in regions once deemed impenetrable by insurgents.
It is a matter of immense pleasure that Abujhmarh and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh that were once terror bases, have today been declared as free from Naxal terror.
Now a trace of Naxalism exists in South Bastar, which will be wiped out soon by our security forces.
Since January…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 16, 2025
The announcement forms part of the PM Modi government’s concerted effort to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026, signalling a near-complete dismantling of extremist networks in the state. Shah assured that India’s security forces will soon clear the remaining pockets in South Bastar.
Operational Successes and Strategic Gains
The declaration follows a surge in operational successes since the BJP took power in Chhattisgarh in January 2024. Shah cited key figures: 2,100 Naxalites have surrendered, 1,785 arrested, and 477 neutralised in encounters. Recent days alone saw 170 insurgents surrender in Chhattisgarh and 61 in Maharashtra.
Earlier, security forces eliminated top CPI-Maoist leaders like Basavaraju during Operation Black Forest in May 2025, prompting multiple surrenders and arrests across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. September saw the neutralisation of two Central Committee members in Abujhmar, further weakening the insurgent hierarchy.
Experts credit the success to improved intelligence coordination, reinforced border operations, and an effective surrender policy offering financial aid, skill development, and constitutional safeguards to those abandoning violence.
Shah emphasised the ‘relentless efforts’ of security forces under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, declaring that ‘Naxalism is breathing its last’.
The Naxal-free status paves the way for accelerated development in tribal regions, including improved infrastructure, healthcare, and education, long delayed by insurgency.
Since 2024, India’s security forces have neutralised, arrested, or secured the surrender of over 4,362 extremists, showcasing the country’s zero-tolerance stance. Analysts predict South Bastar could follow soon, leaving Naxalism confined to isolated areas.
The triumph not only strengthens national security but also underscores the government’s commitment to transforming former conflict zones into centres of prosperity. Shah’s vision remains clear: a united, Naxal-free India by 2026, turning erstwhile terror hotspots into beacons of sustainable development and peace.
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