Amit Shah Honours ‘Operation Black Forest’ Heroes; Pledges Naxal-Free India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday met and honoured personnel from the CRPF, Chhattisgarh Police, DRG and CoBRA battalion, along with their families, for their success in ‘Operation Black Forest’, one of the largest anti-Naxal drives conducted in the Kereguttalu hills, a Maoist stronghold on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.

The felicitation ceremony took place at Amit Shah’s residence in New Delhi, where he commended the security forces for their courage and dedication in eliminating Naxals during the prolonged operation.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma were also present.

He further reaffirmed that the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government remain committed to supporting the families of soldiers martyred or injured in anti-Naxal operations.

Officials describe the 19-day operation in the remote Kereguttalu hills as the largest anti-Naxal mission to date.

Security forces eliminated more than 30 Naxals, including senior leaders such as Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist.

The forces also destroyed the Naxalites’ base camp and disrupted their supply chain, all without suffering any casualties. The operation dealt a severe blow to Maoist activity in the region and marked a significant step towards restoring security in the affected districts.

HM further wrote on X, “On behalf of a grateful nation, our security forces have been honoured.”

Renewed Commitment to Eradicating Naxalism

Amit Shah reiterated the government’s determination and vowed that the Modi administration will not rest until the Naxals surrender, capture them, or eliminate them. He stressed that the Centre is working to ensure a Naxal-free India by 31 March next year.

“The entire country is proud of the sacrifices and dedication of our security forces in fulfilling this resolve,” Shah added. His remarks signal the government’s intent to intensify operations against Maoist insurgency across the country.

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